Independent Medical Examinations
When you file a Workers' Compensation claim against your employer and/or their insurance company after being injured at work they have the right to send you to be examined by a doctor of their choosing to verify your injuries, the severity of them, and the cause of them. The issue with these examinations is that the doctor is hired and paid by the insurance company so their reports are often in favor of the insurance company.The Workers' Compensation Act allows that the insurance company and/or your employer can send you to at least one independent medical examination so they can get an independent opinion on your condition from a medical professional who is not treating you already.
Sometimes your employer can require more than one IME if they establish a legitimate need for follow up exams. An attorney can help verify if any additional IME's are needed, which is why it’s very important to contact a Workers' Compensation Attorney at The Pisanchyn Law Firm when dealing with any type of Workers' Compensation claim.
If you have to go to a Independent Medical Examination remember:
- If possible, bring someone to the exam with you. Have this person record what the physician does, says, and how long the exam took. This could be submitted as evidence to validate your claim and bring the physician’s credibility into question in the event the report is different from what occurred at the examination.
- If you can't bring anyone with you take notes during or immediately after the exam for the same reasons.
- Be honest when answering questions and describing your condition.
- Never sign any documents you are given; have your attorney review them first.
- Prior to going to your examination contact The Pisanchyn Law Firm's experienced Workers' Comp Attorneys.
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