The definition of medical malpractice states that medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to fulfill their obligation to meet the needs of a patient either through omitting care or providing negligent care that departs from accepted standards and causes injury or death to a patient. The laws governing medical malpractice vary by state, but all states require doctors to carry medical malpractice insurance to protect them from the high cost of medical malpractice suits. If you have suffered and injury or lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, you can take advantage of medical malpractice laws to receive compensation awards for their medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, anxiety, and more. A medical malpractice suit often hinges upon the certificate of merit that is required before the suit is even filed. A medical expert in the same field as the defendant reviews the parameters of the suit and certifies that it has merit.