How Long Does It Take to Get an IME Back?
The results of an Independent Medical Examination (IME) can provide critical evidence in a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit. For this reason, counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants are often eager to see the results of the examination and determine what their next steps will be in response. Learn more below about the timeline for the results of an independent medical examination, and contact a seasoned medical examiner to schedule an IME for your personal injury or workers’ compensation case.
IME reports are often governed by state law
Independent medical exams are exams that are typically ordered in the context of a claim for insurance benefits or a lawsuit seeking compensation for physical injuries. They are designed to be performed by physicians who have no doctor/patient relationship with the plaintiff or claimant. In most cases, the insurer or defendant is the party requesting that the plaintiff undergo an IME, but in cases where the plaintiff wishes to rebut the findings of an earlier exam, the plaintiff can also hire an independent medical examiner to evaluate their condition. The medical examiner will produce a written report after the examination, which offers their professional opinion of the plaintiff’s condition, treatment needs, or prospects of recovery based on both their in-person examination of the plaintiff and a review of their treatment records.
Producing the written report resulting from an IME can take time. Physicians who perform medical examinations are, in most states, required to be practicing physicians with full schedules. Sometimes, an IME report will need to be 15-20 pages in length, depending on the amount of information the examiner needs to convey. Thus, the amount of time that the examiner needs to produce their report can vary. In some states, the IME report must be produced within a certain timeframe. For example, the California Code of Civil Procedure states that such a report must be produced within 30 days of the examination. However, Florida’s Personal Injury Protection statute does not impose deadlines on when IME reports must be produced. A responsible and seasoned medical examiner will ensure that you receive a carefully-crafted report as soon as possible to ensure that your case can proceed promptly.
If you need the services of an experienced and knowledgeable medical examiner for a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit, contact Neurosurgery Medlegal Services, LLC, at 866-659-8051.
