Pa.R.Civ.P. 1042.1. — Professional Liability Actions. Scope. Definition.

(a) The rules of this chapter govern a civil action in which a professional liability claim is asserted by or on behalf of a patient or client of the licensed professional against

(1) a licensed professional, and/or

(2) a partnership, unincorporated association, corporation or similar entity where the entity is responsible for a licensed professional who deviated from an acceptable professional standard, and

(b) A professional liability claim asserted against a licensed professional includes a claim for lack of informed consent.

(c) As used in this chapter, ''licensed professional'' means

(1) any person who is licensed pursuant to an Act of Assembly as

(i) a health care provider as defined by Section 503 of the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, 40 P. S. § 1303.503;

(ii) an accountant;

Official Note: See the CPA Law, Act of May 26, 1947, No. 318, as reenacted and amended, 63 P. S. § 9.1 et seq.

(iii) an architect;

Official Note: See the Architects Licensure Law, Act of December 14, 1982, P. L. 1227, No. 281, 63 P. S. § 34.1 et seq.

(iv) a chiropractor;

Official Note: See the Chiropractic Practice Act of Dec. 16, 1986, P. L. 1646, No. 188, 63 P. S. § 625.101 et seq.

(v) a dentist;

Official Note: See the Dental Law, Act of May 1, 1933, P. L. 216, 63 P. S. § 120 et seq.

(vi) an engineer or land surveyor;

Official Note: See The Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, Act of May 23, 1945, P. L. 913, as amended, 63 P. S. § 148 et seq.

(vii) a nurse;

Official Note: See the Professional Nursing Law, Act of May 22, 1951, P. L. 317, as amended, 63 P. S. § 211 et seq.

(viii) an optometrist;

Official Note: See the Optometric Practice and Licensure Act of June 6, 1980, P. L. 197, No. 57, 63 P. S. § 244.1 et seq.

(ix) a pharmacist;

Official Note: See the Wholesale Prescription Drug Distributors License Act of December 14, 1992, P. L. 1116, No. 145, 63 P. S. § 391.1 et seq.

(x) a physical therapist;

Official Note: See the Physical Therapy Practice Act of October 10, 1975, P. L. 383, No. 110, 63 P. S. § 1301 et seq.

(xi) a psychologist; and

Official Note: See the Professional Psychologists Practice Act of March 23, 1972, P. L. 136, No. 52, 63 P. S. § 1201 et seq.

(xii) a veterinarian.

Official Note: See the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act of December 27, 1974, P. L. 995, No. 326, 63 P. S. § 485.1 et seq.

(2) an attorney at law; and

Official Note: See Rule 76 for the definition of attorney at law.

(3) any professional described in paragraphs (1) and (2) who is licensed by another state.