Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse, fails to provide the standard of care expected in their field, resulting in harm to a patient. This can include errors in diagnosis, treatment, or aftercare, and may lead to serious injury or even death. To prove medical malpractice, a patient must demonstrate that the healthcare provider acted negligently and that this negligence directly caused their injury. This often involves expert testimony to establish the accepted standard of care and how it was not met in the specific case.