INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION (IME)

Usually, after meeting serious accidents, a large amount of monetary payments needs to be paid by the person causing the fault or the insurance company. Before paying this huge amount of money6, parties responsible for paying that amount may need to confirm that the injuries sustained by the victim are as severe as they claim to be. 

For this confirmation, cross evaluation by another physician other than victim’s own physician is very judicial. Therefore, this process is known to be “Independent Medical Examination” or “IME” in personal injury cases.

Is it necessary to do IME?

The party, responsible for paying the compensations, arranges for IMEs by independent physician to exclude the possibilities of biasness of the victim’s own doctor who evaluated and managed immediate after the accident. In addition, the parties would also want to make sure that, in cases where the victim has not been examined by any physician at all, the victim did sustain those injuries rather by that attributable accident itself but not by any other cause.

So, when do i need to do IME?

In doubtful cases, many states have laws that allow insurance companies to compel an independent medical examination of the injured person. But, this is applicable when the insurance policy has clearly mentioned about requiring the insured person to attend in an exam, unless the circumstances of the exam would not amount an undue burden of time and money, e.g. travelling a far distance from home. In most states, a judge may order an IME if any victim’s physical or mental injuries are questionable. However, if any person, despite of having physical injuries, only claims for damages to his/her car, an IME may not be ordered. Also, an IME would not be necessary if a victim claims for compensation after complete healing of injuries. IMEs may also be ordered in child custody dispute to affirm the emotional stability of a parent required for keeping the custody of a child.

What happens after an IME order?

The injured party may be asked to attend in more than one exam. The party compelling for the examination usually chooses their examining physician and pays for that entire expenditure. Sometimes, the court may decide about which physician may perform that examination when the compelling parties are at odds. The victim’s attorney may be present during the examination.

Last of all

After being injured in an accident, it is very helpful in allowing the doctor to do his work during independent medical evaluation to recover money for those injuries from someone else. It is better to communicate to the doctor about all the details of the injury and be co-operative to the examining physician. This honesty will help you from recovering your deserving money in the future.