Michele A. Lebron | August 13, 2026 | Paternity
A false or inaccurate DNA test can have serious effects on a family. A person may wrongly believe they are or are not a child’s biological parent, and important decisions about paternity, child support, and family relationships may follow.
In some situations, you may have legal options if a paternity testing company’s negligence caused an inaccurate result. However, whether you can sue depends on why the error happened, whether the company failed to use reasonable care, and what harm resulted. A Kissimmee paternity lawyer can review the testing process and explain the possible next steps.
How Can a Paternity DNA Test Be Wrong?
Modern DNA testing is highly accurate when samples are properly collected, handled, tested, and reported. However, mistakes can still happen during the process.
Possible sources of an inaccurate result include:
- Samples being mislabeled
- Samples being switched or contaminated
- Improper collection procedures
- Chain-of-custody problems
- Laboratory processing errors
- Incorrect interpretation of results
- Clerical or reporting mistakes
An unexpected result does not automatically prove that the laboratory was negligent. Additional testing and a review of how the original samples were handled may be needed to determine what went wrong.
Can You Sue a DNA Testing Company for an Incorrect Result?
Possibly. A lawsuit against a DNA testing company would depend on the specific facts and the legal basis for the claim. For example, negligence may be an issue if a laboratory failed to follow reasonable testing procedures and that failure caused an incorrect result and measurable harm.
Other legal claims may potentially apply depending on the company’s conduct, its agreement with the customer, and how the inaccurate result was produced or reported. Proving that a test was wrong is only part of the issue. You would generally also need evidence connecting the company’s actions to the harm you suffered.
What Harm Can an Inaccurate Paternity Test Cause?
The consequences of an inaccurate test can extend beyond learning incorrect information about biological parentage. A false result could influence important personal, financial, and legal decisions.
Depending on the circumstances, an incorrect result could affect:
- Paternity proceedings
- Child support obligations
- Family relationships
- Parenting plans and time-sharing disputes
- Decisions based on assumed biological parentage
- Legal expenses incurred to correct the problem
The damages available in a lawsuit depend on the type of legal claim and the losses that can be proven. Not every consequence will necessarily qualify for financial compensation.
What Does Florida Law Say About Paternity Testing?
Florida law allows courts to order scientific testing in proceedings to establish paternity. The testing must use methods generally accepted within the scientific community and must be performed by a qualified technical laboratory. A paternity probability of at least 95% creates a rebuttable presumption of biological fatherhood.
Florida law also allows a party to dispute test results. Under certain circumstances, a court must order another test by the same laboratory or an independent laboratory upon a reasonable request.
These safeguards can be especially important when someone believes a result used in a paternity case is inaccurate.
Can an Incorrect DNA Test Affect a Florida Paternity Case?
Yes. Paternity can be connected to major legal issues involving a child. Once paternity is established, a parent may seek determinations involving parental responsibility, child support, a parenting plan, and a time-sharing schedule.
Correcting an inaccurate DNA result does not necessarily undo an existing legal determination automatically. The proper procedure can depend on whether paternity has already been legally established and how that happened.
Lebron Law, PLLC can review existing orders and testing records to help determine what legal steps may be available.
What Should You Do if You Believe Your Paternity Test Is Wrong?
Do not assume you must accept a questionable result. Preserve the original report and any documents showing how and where the samples were collected.
You may also want to obtain information about the laboratory, testing methods, chain of custody, and people who handled the samples. A second properly conducted test may provide additional evidence.
If the original result has already affected a court case, child support obligation, parenting plan, or time-sharing arrangement, getting legal advice promptly may be important.
Contact the Kissimmee Paternity Lawyers at Lebron Law, PLLC for Help Today
An inaccurate paternity test in Florida can create difficult questions about parentage, finances, and your relationship with a child. If you believe a testing error has affected your family, understanding both the test results and your legal options is important.
Lebron Law, PLLC, helps families in Kissimmee navigate paternity disputes and related family law matters. If you have questions about an inaccurate DNA test or how a paternity determination may affect your family, contact our Kissimmee paternity attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
We serve all through Osceola County and its surrounding areas in Florida. Visit our office at:
Lebron Law, PLLC Kissimmee
15 S Orlando Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741
(321) 800-5195
