Every week at Atkinson Law Office and Minnesota Disability we receive notices that our clients are scheduled for independent medical examinations, "IME". We send notices out to our clients advising them that the IME is usually a precursor to every disputed Minnesota Workers Compensation claim. Below are some suggestions that we provide our clients.
1. Don't Be Intimidated By An IME
2. Be Prepared To Answer The Doctors Questions TRUTHFULLY!
3. Answer Every Question To The Best Of Your Ability
4. Make Sure You Consult An Attorney Before You Attend
Don't Be Intimidated By An IME
Easy for me to say right? Well I have attended two allegedly independent medical examinations and by following my rules, one of the doctors actually found my injury to be caused by my work activities. A rareity but it does happen. Be polite, don't be a jerk, and know that whatever happens, you have the right to contest the findings if they are unfavorable with the assistance of your attorney and own doctors.
Be Prepared To Answer The Doctors Questions Truthfully
Don't wing the IME. Go prepared. This isn't the time to guess how you may have been injured or the circumstances regarding your treatment, etc. Review your medical records, discuss the facts pertaining to your injury with your attorney. Be PREPARED!
Answer Every Question To The Best Of Your Ability
Most clients report that the independent medical examination
takes no more than 10-15 minutes and the doctor has little interest in
hearing about how the injury occurred. Don’t be discouraged simply try your
best to answer any questions asked. Don’t exaggerate or fake your symptoms. This can be discovered during the physical exam and will destroy your case.
Make Sure You Consult An Attorney Before You Attend
There is never a cost to consult an attorney AND if you retain an attorney we can NOT and do not charge you a fee unless there is a dispute. And even then the fee is paid by the employer's insurance company. A free consultation means just that...it's free. Give one of our experienced attorneys a call today at 651-333-3636. At Atkinson Law Office we have over 40 years of combined legal experience just waiting to assist you.
Injured at work or suffering from an injury that may be caused or aggravated by your job? Let our expert workers compensation lawyers with over 60 years combined experience help you find answers to your work comp questions including; temporary partial disability, temporary total disability, permanent total disability, medical benefits, layoffs, pain and suffering, retraining, discontinuance of benefits, attorney fees, and light duty work. To speak to a MN work comp expert call 651-333-3636
Monday, May 13, 2013
Minnesota Workers Compensation Indpendent Medical Examinations. Guess What? They Aren't Independent!
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