Represents the values of the joint venture puts wherein the noncontrolling interest holders have options to sell their equity interests at contractually determined values, which approximate fair values.

Name:	lh_CombinedContractualValueOfNoncontrollingInterestPuts
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of revenue from external customers attributed to an individual foreign country from which revenue is material. An entity also may provide subtotals of geographic information about groups of countries. Amount in Canadian dollars.

+ Details

Name:	lh_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAmountCanadianDollars
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents contractual value of noncontrolling interest put (includes underlying noncontrolling interest). Classified as current due to the Company receiving notification from the holders of the noncontrolling interest that they intended to put their partnership units to the Company or the holders of the noncontrolling interest have the ability to put their partnership units within a year of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

Name:	lh_NoncontrollingInterestCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	lh_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of transactions affecting the ownership interest percentage in Ontario joint venture.

+ Details

Name:	lh_NumberOfJointVentureOwnershipTransactions
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The consolidating entity's proposed interest in net assets of the subsidiary after additional partnership units are acquired in November 2011, expressed as a percentage.

+ Details

Name:	lh_ProposedMinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Proposed purchase price (in Canadian dollars) of additional partnership units in Ontario, Canada joint venture, as outlined in the partnership agreement.

+ Details

Name:	lh_ProposedPurchasePriceOfAdditionalUnitsInCanadianJointVenturePerPartnershipAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Underlying noncontrolling interest (recorded a component in other liabilities and a component in mezzanine equity) represents total of all Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ Details

Name:	lh_UnderlyingNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	lh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasRevenueFromExternalCustomersAttributedToIndividualForeignCountriesAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The consolidating entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow to return capital to noncontrolled interest, which generally occurs when noncontrolling shareholders reduce their ownership stake (in a subsidiary of the entity). This element does not include dividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST PUTS (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 CAD	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 CAD	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 CAD	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 CAD	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interest put in Ontario, Canada joint venture						$ 0		$ 137.5		$ 137.5
Ownership interest percentage in Ontario, Canada joint venture (in hundredths)	85.60%	85.60%				85.60%	85.60%
Number of transactions affecting ownership interest percentage in Ontario joint venture					2
Noncontrolling interest in Ontario, Canada joint venture	28.4					28.4
Combined contractual value of noncontrolling interest puts	131.9					131.9
Noncontrolling interest current liability	140.7					140.7				148.1
Net sales of Ontario, Canada joint venture	75.8		67.6			230.7		207.6
Net sales of Ontario, Canada joint venture (in Canadian dollars)		74.2		70.3			225.4		215.1
Proposed purchase price of additional partnership units in Ontario, Canada joint venture, as outlined in the partnership agreement (in Canadian dollars)		147.8					147.8
Proposed ownership interest percentage in Ontario, Canada joint venture (in hundredths)	98.20%	98.20%				98.20%	98.20%