Medical malpractice occurs because of negligence. While anyone is capable of moments of carelessness, it can be deadly in certain professions. The medical field is just such a profession.
Doctors and healthcare workers provide an immeasurable benefit to society. They change and save lives every day. But when it comes to making a mistake because of carelessness, the stakes are high. Administering the wrong medication, removing the wrong limb, failing to diagnose a terminal illness - all of these examples of negligence are quite dire for the person affected by them.