What is an Independent Medical Exam?

When pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, you may be asked to undergo an independent medical exam (IME) if there is a dispute or disagreement regarding your injury and medical condition. The insurance company will appoint the doctor who performs the exam to determine the degree of permanent disability and what you should receive in benefits. In this blog, our Greenville workers’ compensation attorney explains what happens during an IME and how it can impact your workers’ compensation case.

Any medical records or other documents relating to the accident and your condition will be sent to the doctor prior to your exam. During your IME, you are not expected to build a physician-patient relationship with the doctor – anything you tell the IME doctor is not protected under confidentiality. What you say in your appointment can be used against you at a hearing, should your case get that far. You can bring a relative or trusted friend to your appointment, but they should act only as a witness. They should remain silent and simply take notes of what is discussed during the IME.

How can an IME affect my workers’ comp case?

The outcome of your independent medical exam can have a significant impact on the outcome of your workers’ compensation case. Because these physicians are often viewed as “medical experts,” any reports they file in the aftermath of your IME can be used to limit or completely cut the benefits you may be entitled to. IME physicians are seen as objective parties in your case, which makes it difficult to challenge or discredit their findings.

The dedicated attorneys at Christian & Christian have been continuing a tradition of excellence since 1975. We have recovered millions of dollars for the injured – we are proud to stand by our clients and seek justice on their behalf.