Your Workers' Comp IME: How To Cope And Come Out On Top

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Some hurt workers are asked to undergo an independent medical examination (IME). This request is not really a choice if you want to continue receiving workers' comp benefits. An IME is a medical exam like no other and a lot is riding on the results. Here are five tips on making sure that you don't just cope with the IME but that you come out on top.

1. You are being asked to participate in an IME because you have not been able to return to work after an injury. The IME is supposed to establish exactly where your injury is in regards to healing. With that in mind, be sure you have kept up with your medical appointments and have followed all advice and had all suggested diagnostic tests up to now.
2. You should review your medical treatment records before you go to the IME. Review your claim form, test results, letters from the doctor, your employer, and the workers' comp insurer. Be ready to explain to the workers' comp doctor how your injury feels now. If you are still in pain, be sure to say so. Be as explicit as possible – don't be vague. For example, say that you have shooting pains down your leg when you stand and not that your leg hurts a lot.
3. The doctor that has been treating you so far is not the same as the IME doctor. This doctor is contracted by the workers' comp insurer and everything about this interaction is different. You have no privacy rights with an IME because the doctor reports directly to the workers' comp insurer. You also have no choice in the IME because refusing to participate will cause your benefits to grind to a halt. Knowing all of that, treat the doctor politely but don't expect them to offer you any sympathy or treatment. They are just there to examine you and question you about your work injury.
4. Know what to expect by understanding the purpose of the exam. If you are found to be permanently injured, you can expect an offer of a lump sum settlement after the results of the exam are made known. However, there is a chance you could be told to return to work. Understanding those two possibilities and the one you prefer should drive your behavior in the exam room.
5. Finally, if you disagree with the results of this IME, you can have another performed by a different doctor. Being asked to have an IME could be a sign of problems with your claim and speaking to a workers' comp lawyer is highly recommended. That way, if you have issues with the results you will have an expert to turn to going forward.

For more information about IME's, contact a workers compensation lawyer in your area.

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26 July 2021