Did Atlanta Happen to You? Click Here for a Free Case Evaluation
In many Georgia workers’ compensation claims, a second medical opinion becomes important—either to confirm a diagnosis, evaluate impairment, or resolve a dispute about your ability to work. That second opinion often comes from an independent medical examination, commonly called an IME.
An IME is performed by a physician who is not your authorized treating doctor. Depending on the situation, the exam may be requested by the insurance company or arranged by you as the injured worker. Either way, the resulting report can carry significant weight in your claim.
Knowing what an IME is, who can request one, and how it affects your case helps you protect yourself. A Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through the process and make sure an IME is used fairly.
An independent medical examination is used to obtain an objective medical opinion about issues that matter to a workers’ compensation claim. These can include the nature and extent of your injury, whether you have reached maximum medical improvement, what your impairment rating should be, and whether you are able to return to work.
Because these questions directly affect your benefits, the IME report can influence how much you receive and for how long. A favorable IME can support your claim, while an unfavorable one may be used to challenge it.
Unlike your treating physician, the doctor performing an IME does not provide ongoing care. Their role is limited to evaluating you and issuing an opinion.
In Georgia, both sides of a workers’ compensation claim can be involved in IMEs. The insurer or employer may require you to attend an examination with a doctor of their choosing to evaluate your condition. Refusing to attend a properly requested exam can put your benefits at risk.
Importantly, Georgia law also gives injured workers the right, in certain circumstances, to obtain their own independent medical examination with a physician of their choice, sometimes at the employer’s expense. This can be a valuable tool when you disagree with the treating physician’s conclusions or an insurer’s IME.
Because the timing and procedure for requesting your own IME matter, it is wise to consult a Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer before scheduling one.
An IME usually involves a review of your medical records, a discussion of your injury and symptoms, and a physical examination. The doctor may ask how the injury happened, what treatment you have received, and how your symptoms affect your daily life and work.
It is important to be honest and consistent. The examining physician is evaluating you for a report, not treating you, and inconsistencies between what you say and your medical records can be used to question your credibility. At the same time, you should not minimize or exaggerate your symptoms—accuracy is what protects your claim.
The opinion from an IME can shape major decisions in your case, including your impairment rating, whether your benefits continue, and how your claim is valued in any settlement discussions. When an insurer’s IME conflicts with your treating physician’s opinion, the disagreement may need to be resolved before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Because so much can hinge on a single report, it helps to understand your rights before and after an exam. If an IME is being used to reduce or deny your benefits unfairly, you have options to respond, including obtaining your own evaluation.
Generally yes. If the insurer or employer properly requests an independent medical examination, refusing to attend can put your benefits at risk. If you have concerns about the exam, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney before the appointment.
In certain circumstances, Georgia law allows injured workers to obtain an IME with a physician of their own choosing, sometimes at the employer’s expense. The timing and procedure matter, so it is wise to get guidance before scheduling one.
An IME typically includes a review of your medical records, a discussion of your injury and symptoms, and a physical exam. The doctor evaluates you and issues a report but does not provide ongoing treatment.
An IME report can strongly influence decisions about your impairment rating, your benefits, and the value of your claim. When an IME conflicts with your treating physician’s opinion, the dispute may be resolved before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
See how our attorneys fight for personal injury victims.
Our personal injury attorneys have spent 20+ years fighting for accident victims across Georgia. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.