Glossary of Medical Malpractice Law Terms

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Negligence: Failure to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances. When that failure causes another person to suffer an injury or financial loss, that person may be entitled to just compensation through our civil justice system.

Nevirapine: A drug prescribed for use in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Nevirapine can cause a severe rash in some patients. Reports have also associated nevirapine with hepatotoxicity, a condition which can result in liver damage and death.

Norplant: A contraceptive device that is implanted in the patient, and provides birth control by releasing active agents over time. Norplant has been associated with side effects such as irregular menstrual bleeding, headache, nervousness, depression, nausea, dizziness, skin rash, acne, change of appetite, breast tenderness, weight gain, enlargement of the ovaries, and excessive growth of body or facial hair.

Nursing malpractice: An intentional act or negligence committed by a member of the nursing profession that causes physical, financial, cognitive, emotional or psychosocial damage to a patient under their care. Cases of nursing malpractice commonly involve cases of nursing negligence. This type of nursing malpractice is defined as a nursing professional's failure to exact the degree of care, skill, and prudence that a reasonable professional would under similar conditions.

Nursing Home Malpractice: Any intentional act or negligence committed by a nursing home professional which causes injury to residents.