What term refers to a legally recognizable injury sustained by a patient in the context of medical malpractice?

The term that refers to a legally recognizable injury sustained by a patient in the context of medical malpractice is known as "damages." In legal terms, damages represent the harm that a patient has suffered, which may include physical injury, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and other related losses. In a medical malpractice case, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they have incurred damages as a result of the healthcare professional's negligent actions.

While terms like "direct cause," "dereliction," and "negligence" are relevant to medical malpractice, they do not specifically refer to the injury or harm itself. "Direct cause" pertains to the clear link between the negligent act and the injury; "dereliction" relates to the failure to meet a standard of care, and "negligence" refers broadly to the careless acts of a healthcare provider. However, none of these terms encompass the injury or harm experienced by the patient as fully as "damages" does. Thus, "damages" is the most accurate answer within the context of this question.