To the Editor I read with interest the article, “Pathology and Medical Malpractice,” by Allen et al.1 I am writing this letter to share some of my questions and comments, which focus mostly on the survey and some assertions about how our laws work. Allen et al1 repeatedly talk about a “single standard of care.” They conclude that their survey results provide additional evidence that there is no single standard of care. But I am confused by what they mean. The legal standard of care is not a single thing but rather a spectrum of reasonable care in the circumstances. Cases that go to trial tend to be cases in which the “standard of care” is not clear. Most cases are settled, and presumably many of these have a more straightforward answer to whether the pathologist was negligent. The case only goes to a jury if there is expert …