Which consequence is a common result of malpractice?

In the context of malpractice, the most prevalent consequence is injury or damage to the person receiving care. Malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to adhere to the standard of care, leading to harm or injury to a patient. This could range from physical harm to emotional distress or deterioration of health due to negligent actions such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or improper treatment. The primary focus of malpractice laws is to safeguard patients and provide them recourse if they suffer harm due to a healthcare provider's negligence.

While increased healthcare costs, criminal charges, and loss of licensure can also result from malpractice situations, they are not the direct or primary consequence. Increased healthcare costs may arise as a secondary effect when malpractice cases lead to higher insurance premiums or defensive medicine practices. Criminal charges may occur in cases of gross negligence but are not common in typical malpractice scenarios. The loss of professional licensure is a potential consequence for providers found guilty of malpractice but again, it is not the direct outcome faced by the individual who experienced malpractice. Hence, the injury or damage to the patient remains the most immediate and significant consequence of such incidents.