In the four D's of malpractice, which term refers to the failure to meet the standard of care?

• A. Duty
• B. Dereliction
• C. Damages
• D. Direct Cause

Answer: (B)

Dereliction is the term for failing to meet the standard of care. The standard of care is what a reasonably competent professional would do in similar circumstances. When a provider’s actions fall short of that standard, it’s considered a breach of duty, or dereliction. In malpractice cases, four elements must be shown: a duty to the patient, a breach of that duty (dereliction), damages suffered, and a direct causal link between the breach and those damages. The other terms describe related ideas: duty is the obligation to care for the patient, damages are the harm or losses caused, and direct cause (causation) connects the breach to the injury.