duty of care

noun

du·​ty of care ˈd(y)üt-ē-əv-ˈke(ə)r, -ˈka(ə)r 

: a duty to use care toward others that would be exercised by an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person in order to protect them from unnecessary risk of harm

In a typical medical malpractice lawsuit, the plaintiff has the burden of proof to show that the physician had a legal duty of care to the patient, that the physician breached that duty, and that the breach caused injury to the plaintiff.

—L. F. Sparr et al.