Ohio medical lab mistakes may have deadly consequences

Every year, more than one million medical laboratory mistakes occur in the United States. These mistakes lead to misdiagnosis of medical conditions. When patients are misdiagnosed they may end up with costly (and potentially dangerous) treatments that they don’t need or they may not receive the treatment they do need. In many cases, the misdiagnosis can result in wrongful death.
 
Laboratory errors refer to any error made by the personnel in a clinical laboratory while performing a test, interpreting data, or reporting or recording the results.
 
Examples of lab mistakes include:
 
•    A patient's paperwork is mixed up with that of another patient
•    A patient’s lab work is mixed up with that of another patient
•    Specimens or samples are taken incorrectly
•    Images are taken incorrectly
•    Images or test samples are mishandled or lost
•    Results are misinterpreted
 
Laboratory errors should always be considered as a possible explanation for findings that don’t make sense given the patient’s history or symptoms. The accepted procedure is to repeat the test when an abnormal result is found.
 
Laboratory errors can have serious consequences. If you or a family member has suffered after a lab error, the Akron personal injury attorneys at Chester Law Group can help you through the legal process necessary to get legal compensation for your losses.  To learn more about the rights of medical malpractice victims, contact our Ohio law office at 1-800-218-4243.