What is malfeasance?

Malfeasance refers specifically to the performance of a wrongful or unlawful act that is not legally permitted. In a legal or ethical context, it implies that an individual has engaged in behavior that goes against regulations or laws, thereby causing harm or violating the rights of others. In the realm of athletic training, this could relate to actions taken by a trainer that directly violate their professional guidelines or result in harm to an athlete.

Understanding malfeasance is crucial because it highlights the importance of adhering to legal standards and ethical practices within athletic training and healthcare. Such violations can result not only in legal consequences but also have severe implications for the health and safety of athletes.

The other options, while related to conduct in a professional setting, pertain to different aspects of legal and ethical duties. Failing to perform a legal duty is referred to as nonfeasance, and neglecting necessary precautions correlates more with negligence. Improperly doing something that one has the legal right to do indicates a form of misfeasance, but it does not capture the essence of performing an outright illegal act, which is the focus of malfeasance.