Why Do I Have to Attend an Independent Medical Examination?
Examinations may be ordered in lawsuits other than personal injury suits as well. For example, an examination may be ordered in a child custody dispute to determine whether a parent is emotionally stable enough to maintain custody of a child.
If an IME is Ordered
If an independent medical examination is ordered, the injured party may be required to submit to more than one exam. However, the party seeking to compel an examination is often required to pay for the examination. Sometimes the party attempting to compel the examination may choose the examining physician. In cases where the parties are at odds over which physician to use, the court may decide the physician. The injured party's attorney may be allowed to attend the examination as well.
Conclusion
If you have been injured in an accident and plan to recover money from someone else for your injuries, it is safe to assume that you will be required to submit to an independent medical evaluation. The examination should not be feared, but simply treated like any other examination by a physician. Allow the doctor to do his work, be honest about the injuries sustained, and be sure to communicate to the doctor all the details of the injury. In the long run, it will help you recover the money you deserve.
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