Pittsburgh
Laboratory Errors Lawyer

Doctors rely on lab results to diagnose disease, choose treatments, and monitor patients. When a laboratory mixes up samples, contaminates a specimen, misreads a slide, or reports the wrong result, that error flows directly into the patient’s care, and the consequences can be devastating.

A Pittsburgh laboratory errors lawyer can help you pursue compensation when a lab mistake caused a missed diagnosis, wrong treatment, or delayed care.

Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., have seasoned medical malpractice attorneys with decades of experience in advocating for injury victims throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation

Who Is Liable for a Laboratory Error in Pennsylvania?

Determining liability in a laboratory error case is not always straightforward.

A test result passes through many hands between collection and diagnosis, and responsibility may rest with the lab, a healthcare provider, or multiple parties.

  • When the Laboratory Made the Error: Sample mix-ups, contamination, improper storage, equipment calibration failures, and misread pathology slides can all support a claim against the laboratory and its staff.
  • When the Ordering Provider Is Responsible: Physicians who order the wrong test, fail to follow up on results, or overlook an abnormal finding may be liable even when the lab performed its work correctly.
  • When Communication Broke Down: Some of the most serious harm occurs when accurate results never reach the treating physician or the patient. Hospitals and practices can be responsible for failed reporting systems.
  • Multiple Parties May Share Liability: Many lab error cases involve failures at more than one step. Identifying every available source of compensation is an important part of building a strong claim.

Common Types of Laboratory Errors

Lab errors can happen before, during, or after testing. Pre-analytical errors include mislabeled samples, improper collection, and specimens damaged in transport.

Analytical errors involve the testing itself, such as contaminated reagents, uncalibrated equipment, or a pathologist’s misinterpretation of a biopsy.

Post-analytical errors occur when results are transposed, attached to the wrong patient, or never communicated at all.

The harm from these errors takes predictable forms: cancers reported as benign, infections that go untreated, healthy patients subjected to aggressive treatment, and blood type errors with life-threatening consequences.

Why Laboratory Error Claims Are Different

Most malpractice claims focus on decisions made in an exam room or operating room. Lab error claims require tracing a specimen through an entire chain of custody, from the moment it was drawn to the moment a result was reported, to find where the process broke down.

These details can significantly affect who is responsible and how the case is proven.

Our attorneys work to gather the information needed to determine:

  • How the specimen was collected, labeled, and transported
  • What quality controls the laboratory had in place and whether they were followed
  • Who performed and reviewed the testing
  • How and when results were reported to the ordering provider
  • How the erroneous result changed the patient’s diagnosis or treatment

Starting this investigation early helps preserve important evidence and can reduce unnecessary delays.

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Understanding Your Rights After a Laboratory Error

Pennsylvania law can affect your ability to recover compensation after a lab error. Some of the most important legal considerations include:

An experienced attorney can investigate these issues and identify every available source of compensation.

How We Build Laboratory Error Claims

Laboratory error claims require meticulous record review, chain of custody analysis, and qualified experts who understand how labs are supposed to operate.

  • Step 1: Learn About What Happened – We begin by reviewing your diagnosis and treatment history, identifying where the error may have occurred, and explaining your legal options during a Free Case Evaluation.
  • Step 2: Obtain the Complete Records – Requisition forms, specimen labels, chain of custody logs, quality control records, and pathology reports can play an important role in these claims. We work to obtain and preserve this information.
  • Step 3: Trace the Error to Its Source – Our team works with pathologists, laboratory professionals, and physicians to pinpoint where the process failed and who is responsible.
  • Step 4: Handle Communications With the Defense – Labs, hospitals, and their insurers defend these cases aggressively. We manage communications and negotiations on your behalf while protecting your interests.
  • Step 5: Pursue Full Compensation – We seek compensation for medical expenses, additional treatment caused by the error, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses through settlement negotiations or litigation when appropriate.
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Types of Laboratory Error Cases We Handle

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Our firm represents patients harmed by a variety of laboratory errors, including:

  • Blood typing and transfusion errors
  • Contaminated or degraded specimens
  • Results reported to the wrong patient
  • Critical results never communicated to the treating physician

ABOUT
Why Choose Us For Laboratory Error Cases

Laboratory error cases can present unique legal challenges, particularly when multiple facilities handle the specimen and each points to the other.

Whether the error delayed a cancer diagnosis or led to treatment you never needed, our attorneys can evaluate your claim, explain your legal options, and help determine who may be responsible.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we have spent decades advocating for injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We are committed to protecting your rights, handling the complexities of your claim, and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.

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“

I highly recommend Mike Murphy and John Perkosky. They kept us informed every step of the way. Both are incredibly caring and were readily available to answer any questions we had. I felt completely confident in their abilities and am extremely grateful for all that they did. Mike and John fought hard to get us the best possible outcome for our case.

– Cheryl G.
“

The best firm in the city, and I'm not just saying that because of my name! Their level of legal knowledge here is unparalleled. Whether it's a personal injury or medical malpractice case, this firm is equipped to handle even the most complex matters. Their track record truly speaks for itself!

– Brandon O.
“

This Law Firm has a very unique way of handling your case. They strive to maximize your settlement, and I appreciate their hard work and professionalism.

– Tyler B.
“

I had such a great experience working with attorney Ben Gobel. His expertise and professionalism was evident throughout my case. He truly worked hard to bring me the best results. I highly recommend Ben for any personal injury issues.

– Ronald L.
“

Attorney Ben Gobel was fantastic. He was accessible and spent a lot of time reviewing my case with me, providing me with all of my options, possible outcomes and his recommendations. I had many questions and he answered every one of them thoroughly. Ultimately, I felt heard and had a better than anticipated outcome to my case!

– Erin O.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Laboratory Error Claims

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Often you cannot know without an investigation. Comparing your original results with later testing, and reviewing the lab’s records and procedures, can reveal whether an error occurred and where. An attorney can arrange for qualified experts to review your case.

You may be able to pursue claims against the laboratory, the pathologist, your treating physician, the hospital, or several of them, depending on where the failure occurred.

Pennsylvania’s discovery rule may allow claims to proceed when the injury and its cause could not reasonably have been discovered earlier. These deadlines are fact-specific, so it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.

Depending on the harm, compensation may cover the cost of additional or corrective treatment, income lost during a delayed diagnosis, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the error.

Yes. Pennsylvania requires a certificate of merit under Pa. R.Civ.P. 1042.3, and proving a lab error case typically requires testimony from pathology or laboratory medicine experts. We arrange this as part of building your case.

We handle laboratory error cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront attorney fees, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Laboratory Error Attorneys Today

A laboratory error can have serious consequences, and pursuing a claim may require uncovering where the mistake occurred and who is responsible. Our attorneys can guide you through the legal process, identify the parties that may be liable, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

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    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

    245 Fort Pitt Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, US