Understanding Independent Medical Examination.

31 million people suffer injuries annually just in the US. 2 million of these cases are so bad the victims have to be hospitalized. Negligence can result to injuries and if you are in this situation you need to determine whether this is what happened to you. Be it a personal injury, slip-and-fall or even a car accident injury, if someone else was responsible you should be asking for compensation. Nevertheless, an independent medical examination is necessary before you get the compensation. If you have no idea what an IME is then this article will give you the answers you wanted. In some cases, the insurance company covering the other party can dispute the medical claim so that they do not have to offer a huge settlement. This is why an IME is important because it will ensure they own up to their responsibility.

The IME will be completed by a doctor who has no stake in the case. This means the medical report will be objective and neutral. In this case, the agreement will ensure fairness when it comes to compensation. Insurance companies usually ask for IME when they feel like the amount the victim is asking for is too high. It is not just the insurance that can ask for the IME but you and the lawyer representing you can ask for the same too especially if you feel the diagnosis given wasn’t correct or when you feel there is a need for an in-depth medical examination. The party calling for the IME is allowed to pick the doctor who will complete the examination. Apart from the previous medical report, the doctor will also have a look at the other documents you have presented. The insurance company is free to present more questions they need the doctor to clarify so that they can get a good grip of the situation.

The doctor will have to confirm the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing and if the diagnosis that was made was indeed correct. Any further testing and treatment needed can also be explored and whether there is a chance you can go back to work. The presence of permanent disabilities will also be checked and if you will require any special accommodations if you go back to work. The medical exam is done per the protocol. On top of that, the doctor will have a look at your injuries and discuss your symptoms. More tests can be ordered including x-rays to get a better perspective of the injuries you have sustained.