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RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]      
Net restructuring charges $ 17.8lh_NetRestructuringCharges $ 21.8lh_NetRestructuringCharges $ 25.3lh_NetRestructuringCharges
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs 10.5us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 15.4us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 16.2us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs 8.4us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 9.5us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 19.6us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1
Reduction in prior employee severance benefits related restructuring accruals 0.4lh_EmployeeSeveranceBenefitsRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment 0.7lh_EmployeeSeveranceBenefitsRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment 6.3lh_EmployeeSeveranceBenefitsRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Reduction in prior facility related restructuring accruals 0.7lh_FacilityRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment 2.4lh_FacilityRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment 4.2lh_FacilityRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Loss on disposal of European subsidiary     6.9us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals 1.1us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment    
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]      
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]      
Special charge related to write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment 18.6lh_OtherSpecialCharges
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
   
Covance [Member]      
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]      
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs 10.8us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTransactionCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lh_CovanceMember
   
Covance [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]      
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]      
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs 4.8us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTransactionCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lh_CovanceMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
   
Covance [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]      
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]      
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs $ 6.0us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityTransactionCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= lh_CovanceMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember