In legal terms, what does 'act of commission' mean?

The term 'act of commission' refers to an action taken that is inappropriate or wrongful in a specific legal context. This concept is often contrasted with 'act of omission,' which involves failing to take necessary actions. In this scenario, an act of commission would involve actively performing something that is deemed unlawful or negligent, such as providing improper treatment or making a procedural error during a dental procedure.

This understanding of the term is crucial in legal discussions surrounding malpractice and patient care, as it emphasizes that the wrong act was not merely a failure to act but an active decision or action taken that led to a negative outcome. Thus, an act of commission is recognized as a significant factor in establishing liability in legal cases involving healthcare providers.

Other options relate more to acts of omission or unintentional failures, which do not accurately capture the definition of an act of commission since they focus on what has not been done rather than what has been improperly done.