The IME Milestone With Workers' Compensation

Workers that are injured because of their employment may be eligible for several benefits thanks to their employer's workers' compensation insurance. Workers don't have to pay any money to be covered by this insurance, it's paid for by their employer. Workers' compensation benefits hurt employees but the process and rules concerning workers' compensation can be confusing. The below information pertains to a puzzling action that some workers fail to fully understand. Read on and learn more. 

The Independent Medical Examination (IME)

After workers have been receiving benefits for a while, they may be asked to participate in an IME. Those benefits are usually the full coverage of all medical expenses related to the accident along with partial disability pay so that workers can stay home and get better. The purpose of the IME is to evaluate the status of the worker's injury or occupational illness. If the worker doesn't agree to the examination, they could find their workers' compensation benefits cut off.

What Happens at the Exam?

This exam is not being administered by a doctor you know who is familiar with your medical issues. This doctor is employed by the workers' compensation insurer. That means you should be ready to speak to the doctor about the reason for your injury and everything that has happened since. It's highly advisable that workers review their paperwork to refresh their memories of the accident and their medical treatment so they can answer questions with confidence. You are allowed to take written materials with you into the exam room.

The doctor will focus their exam on your affected body parts, in most cases. For instance, if you have a back injury from a fall at work, they will ask you to lie down on the exam table and question you about your pain levels. Be prepared to explain to the doctor how you are doing now with respect to your injury. If you are still in pain, let the doctor know about it in detail. Don't simply say you are in pain, be specific about it as much as possible. For instance, you might say that you are in pain when you bend over, stand up from sitting, and when you walk for any length of time. Say that the pain is a dull throb or sharp. Mention how the pain affects your everyday life.

After this exam, you could be asked to return to your job. If you disagree with the result of the IME, you have the right to another exam. Speak with a workers' compensation lawyer to find out more about asserting your rights and getting the benefits you deserve after a workplace injury.

Contact a work-related accident lawyer for more information.