It is possible that you can still reach a settlement in your workers’ comp. case after you submit to an IME, short for Independent Medical Examination. If you’ve been asked to undergo an IME by the insurance company, there are potential changes on the horizon in your workmans comp PA case. This raises the question of how an IME will affect your case and the possibility that you will receive a settlement. Rest assured, an IME is a common part of the workers’ comp. process, and many injured workers – especially those represented by the workers’ compensation lawyers at Pearson Koutcher Law — receive a favorable settlement after participating in an IME with an insurance company doctor.
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an evaluation of you by a doctor hired by the insurance company. Ideally, the doctor is supposed to determine objectively whether you have fully recovered from your work injury and are able to return to work. However, these doctors are often not objective and provide an opinion that is in the best interests of the insurance company. The insurance company is permitted to schedule you for periodic IMEs (a maximum of two per year), and you are required to attend. If you don’t, a Workers’ Compensation Judge will likely compel you to attend. Based on the opinion of the IME doctor, the insurance company may file a petition to terminate, suspend, or modify your benefits. Don’t worry, though — if you disagree with the opinion of the IME doctor and want to contest the petition filed against you based on that opinion, you can hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer near me – we recommend Pearson Koutcher Law — to fight this petition before the Judge.
After an IME, the doctor will review medical records from doctors who have treated you for your work injuries. The doctor then writes a report, providing opinions on your diagnosis, ability to work, and whether you have fully recovered from your injury to determine if you should continue to receive workers’ comp benefits.
After your IME, you should sit down for a few minutes and take notes on your phone or a pad of paper while the appointment is fresh in your mind. Write down everything you remember from the IME including questions from the doctor and how you responded, what the doctor had you do during the exam and anything the doctor might have said about your injury or illness. This may help your workers’ comp lawyer compose a solid answer to the IME report to work toward a settlement in your case.
Although you can theoretically continue to receive weekly workmans comp PA payments indefinitely, often cases are resolved by a settlement. In this process, you would agree to give up future benefits in exchange for a lump sum of money. There are various reasons for settling, such as you can obtain a quicker resolution as opposed to fighting your case before a Judge.
If you have undergone an IME and are interested in settling your PA workers’ comp case, contact Pearson Koutcher Law. One of our workers’ compensation lawyers near you will attempt to obtain a favorable lump sum settlement on your behalf from the insurance company.
Every case is different. Contact theworkers’ compensation Philadelphia lawyers at Pearson Koutcher Law for more information. We provide Free Consultations and will go through the specifics of your case.”> workers’ compensation Philadelphia lawyers at Pearson Koutcher Law for more information. We provide Free Consultations and will go through the specifics of your case.
If you have more questions about your workmans comp PA claim, settlements, IMEs, or anything else pertaining to your claim, we urge you to contact Pearson Koutcher Law today. One of our experienced lawyers can answer all your questions about your case during a free consultation. So if you are in need of a workers’ compensation lawyer near me, please call Pearson Koutcher Law today.