Independent Medical Examinations Miami

Independent Medical Examinations are examinations performed on a patient at the request of an employer or attorney to obtain an unbiased third-party opinion.

When to expect an Independent Medical Examination?

If you sustained an injury or got sick while performing your job, your doctor will give you medical recommendations on what treatment options will best help your condition. You will also be advised on when you can return to work. If applicable to your case, your doctor will also discuss the likelihood and extent of any temporary or permanent disability.

With the help of an experienced workers compensation doctor in Miami, you will make progress toward returning to work and, ideally, your pre-injury condition. However, in the event that your attorney or employer (or employer’s insurance company) disputes your condition, disability, or injuries, you will be asked to undergo an Independent Medical Examination with a third party doctor.

According to Florida Law:

“Whenever the mental or physical condition of an injured person covered by personal injury protection is material to any claim that has been or may be made for past or future personal injury protection insurance benefits, such person shall, upon the request of the insurer, submit to a mental or physical examination by a physician or physicians.”

Often, your employer or the insurance company does not request an IME for minor injuries. This is because they cost money and so it often does not make financial sense to do so.

However, you may expect an IME request from your employer’s insurance company if:

• You have serious injuries, and the insurance company wants to make sure that you are as injured as you claim
• You claim compensation for permanent disability
• The insurance company doesn’t agree with the diagnoses of your attending physician
• The insurance company doesn’t agree that you need to undergo surgery and expensive procedures for your injury or condition

What does an expert witness orthopedic surgeon do?

Our expert witness orthopedic surgeons in Miami and Homestead can testify and report about cases that involve the surgical treatment of work-related musculoskeletal injuries, such as

• Auto injuries
• Equipment injuries
• Falls
• Slips

How to prepare for an independent medical examination?

Our doctors who perform independent medical examinations commit to being impartial. They want to help resolve the case by being objective in giving their expert opinion.

To relieve your anxiety and help you prepare for your IME with us, we recommend that you should know your condition well. You may start by answering these questions as honest, specific, and descriptive as you can:

• What is your medical history, including your past injuries and current medical conditions?
• How, where, and when did the injury occur? What were you doing when it happened? What did you do after it happened?
• What specific parts of your body were injured? What injuries did you get?
• How do these injuries affect your daily life? What activities make the pain get worse, and how does this impact your overall function?
• What treatments work on your injuries? What makes the symptoms feel better?
• What did you have to give up or compromise (like routines or activities you can no longer do) because of your injury?

What to expect during an Independent Medical Examination?

IMEs involve a review of prior medical records, past and current imaging, and physical examination findings which are used to determine a patient’s current ability to work, impairment, and sometimes anticipated future medical costs.

In order to make your evaluation with our independent medical examiners for Orthopedic cases in Miami go smoothly, here are a few tips to bear in mind:

• The doctor will have a copy of your medical records, so it is best if you are familiar with them.
• You will be asked about your past and present medical history.
• As medical experts, our doctors encourage our patients to be as honest and accurate as they can when answering questions.
• If you are not sure, feel free to say so; do not guess.
• Do not exaggerate your injuries.
• Perform medical tests that will be asked of you.

Where to find the best expert witness orthopedic surgeon in Miami

At South Florida International Orthopaedics, our physicians perform history taking and medical examination for both plaintiff and defense teams. Our orthopedic IME doctors in Miami have years of experience that provide for easy scheduling, accurate evaluations, and overall quick turnaround on high-quality reports.

If you are interested in scheduling a client for an Independent Medical Examination, please contact us so we can assist you.

Learn more about South Florida International Orthopaedics

Workplace and work-related injuries can add another level of complication to the care of an injured worker. These types of injuries have added complexity as there needs to be an evaluation for causation, chronicity, and long-term implications.

At South Florida International Orthopaedics, our independent medical examiners for orthopedics in Miami understand the crucial role of an impartial third-party opinion in resolving a disputed claim. They give proficient and objective medical evaluations and diagnosis to determine the accuracy of a claim, so that both the employee and the employer can agree on the best actions to take.

Our team of physicians has extensive experience in treating orthopedic work-related injuries and are experts in treating all injuries in the upper extremities, lower extremities, neck, and back.

If you need the services of an experienced orthopedic IME doctor in Miami, don’t hesitate to visit us in the following convenient locations:

• Expert witness orthopedic surgeon in Homestead
• Expert witness orthopedic surgeon Miami

If you would like more information about an independent medical examination, you can contact us or make an online appointment so we can assist you.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.