1. Legal Terms
Chapter 4

2. Civil Law vs. Criminal Law
Focus on legal relationships
Protection of a person’s rights
Criminal Law
Wrongs against a person, property, or society
Act is a misdemeanor or felony

3. Malpractice
Failure of a professional to use the degree of skilled learned
Results in injury, loss / damage to the person
Ex = failure to administer a tetanus shot

4. Negligence Failure to give care that is expected
Ex = Pt. falls out of bed because side rails are left down

5. Assault / Battery Assault Battery Threat or attempt to injure
Unlawful touching of another person without consent (usually violent)

6. Invasion of Privacy
Releasing personal information about a pt. without consent
Unnecessarily exposing a person

7. False Imprisonment Restraining an individual (with no justification)
Restricting an individual’s freedom

8. Abuse Any care that results in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish
4 Types
Physical
Verbal
Psychological (Mental)
Sexual

9. Defamation False statements that damage a person’s reputation 2 Types
Slander (Spoken)
Libel (Written)