The number of injuries estimated to happen every year in the US is high amounting to 31 million. 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. Your chance will be better though harmed with an IME.
You can expect the IME to be done by a doctor who is neutral. The medical reports will not just be accurate but also objective. In this case, the agreement will ensure fairness when it comes to compensation. In case the insurance company feels like the amount you are asking is too much an IME can be ordered. 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 side that asks for the IME gets to pick the doctor to do that. Basically, the doctor who will be carrying out the examination will have to review your medical records and any document relevant to the case. 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. On top of that, the doctor will determine whether you require more tests and treatments and if you are able to resume your work. It is also the duty of the doctor to advise whether you have suffered permanent disabilities and the kind of accommodations that will be needed if you end up going back to work. The medical exam is done per the protocol. Consequently, the examining doctor will explore the injuries sustained and talk to you about the symptoms. If more tests are deemed necessary they will be ordered and x-rays might be necessary.
