Advocating for Victims of Medical Lab Errors in Tulsa
When patients seek medical care, accurate and timely lab results are critical to diagnosis and treatment. Yet, when a laboratory fails in its duty, the consequences can be devastating. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, our Tulsa medical lab error lawyers represent individuals and families harmed by diagnostic mistakes, delays, or lab miscommunication. We fight to hold negligent labs and healthcare providers accountable and secure the compensation our clients need to recover.
How Lab Mistakes Cause Harm
Tulsa residents trust that blood work, biopsies, imaging scans, and other diagnostics will be processed correctly. But laboratory errors can derail treatment plans, cause unnecessary suffering, and in some cases, prove fatal. Misread test results may lead to inappropriate medications, surgery on healthy organs, or a missed diagnosis that allows illness to progress.
Errors in medical labs are not isolated incidents. The U.S. is home to more than 36,000 labs, ranging from hospital-based facilities to private corporations such as Quest and LabCorp. These labs must follow strict protocols, ensure test accuracy, and alert clinicians to critical results promptly. Any deviation from these duties can have serious repercussions for patient health.
Types of Lab Errors That Can Lead to Legal Claims
Misread or Misinterpreted Results
Mistakes in analyzing test data can lead to missed diagnoses, mistreatment, and irreversible progression of illness.
False Positives and False Negatives
Incorrect readings can result in unnecessary surgeries, medication, or provide false reassurance, preventing necessary treatment.
Mishandled Biopsies and Imaging
Missing cancer on a scan or labeling benign tissue as malignant can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Errors in Genetic Testing
Inaccurate genetic tests can influence major decisions like preventative surgeries or reproductive choices.
Delayed Reporting of Critical Results
When test results are not delivered quickly or to the correct provider, patients lose valuable treatment time.
Lost or Contaminated Specimens
Samples that are mishandled or never tested can derail the diagnostic process and deny patients life-saving care.
Miscommunication Between Labs and Providers
Many lab error cases stem from a breakdown in communication. Whether due to poor handoffs, misfiled results, or electronic record failures, a delay in communicating test results can cause severe harm. Our legal team investigates each link in the chain of communication to identify where breakdowns occurred and who is liable.
Can I Sue for Incorrect Lab Results in Tulsa?
Yes. If a laboratory’s mistake caused serious injury or contributed to the wrongful death of a loved one, you may have grounds to file a claim. Medical laboratories are held to regulatory standards and expected to meet the same duty of care as other medical professionals. Failure to meet those standards may constitute negligence.
To build a strong case, our team reviews all relevant medical records, lab reports, and hospital policies. We partner with expert witnesses to determine whether the lab met clinical guidelines and if the error directly caused harm. If internal procedures were ignored, or errors were foreseeable and preventable, a negligence claim may be appropriate.
Proving Negligence in a Medical Lab Case
Each lab error case hinges on whether the standard of care was breached. To prove this:
We determine whether the lab staff followed protocol for the type of test or patient condition.
We evaluate if test results were accurately reported, interpreted, and communicated.
We identify deviations from best practices that may have caused harm.
We engage specialists to provide opinions on how the error impacted the patient's outcome.
Compensation for Victims of Lab Errors
Compensation in lab negligence cases can cover:
Medical expenses for additional treatment and rehabilitation
Lost wages and future earning potential
Emotional distress and pain and suffering
Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases
Punitive damages, in egregious instances of misconduct
Each case is unique, and we work closely with families to assess the full scope of losses and pursue the maximum compensation available under Oklahoma law.
Holding Tulsa Labs and Providers Accountable
Medical lab negligence undermines patient safety and public trust in the healthcare system. Accountability is key to preventing future harm. Whether the lab is part of a hospital, an outpatient clinic, or a national testing service, we are prepared to confront even the most powerful defendants.
Our team has experience handling:
Missed cancer diagnoses
Fatal infections due to delayed or inaccurate lab work
Wrongful death resulting from false negatives or misread tests
Errors involving newborn screening and genetic panels
Speak to a Tulsa Lab Error Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a medical laboratory mistake in Tulsa or the surrounding area, we encourage you to contact Van Wey, Metzler & Williams for a free consultation. Let us investigate the facts, explain your rights, and guide you through the legal process. Call (866) 329-0765 or fill out our contact form to schedule your no-obligation consultation.
You deserve answers. You deserve accountability. Let us fight for you.
