what plaintiff attorney should know about defense medical exam

by Ed Romaguera 10 min read

Defense medical exams are not independent; they are designed to help the defendant prove that your injuries are less severe than what you have claimed. The doctor has been hired by the defense (usually an insurance company), and will typically testify on behalf of the defendant if the case goes to trial.

Full Answer

What happens when the defense has the plaintiff examined by a doctor?

It is asserted that a defense medical expert hired to conduct the examination is someone, possibly the only one, who will render an “independent” opinion as to the plaintiff’s injuries. Plaintiff attorneys know this is a fallacy but juries do not, which means that plaintiff attorneys must be able to stay ahead of their adversaries throughout the defense medical examination …

What is a “defense medical examination?

A defense medical exam occurs in a majority of our cases. Too often we ignore defective notices that so clearly fail to comply with the Code of Civil Procedure. It is important to enforce these requirements because they are designed to protect your clients and their cases from abusive discovery tactics that, if left unchecked, can have a significant impact on the cases’ value and …

Can an attorney attend a criminal defense medical examination?

Jul 26, 2019 · The defense medical expert will always try to ask the plaintiff about the accident itself. Remember that the defense medical examination is not a deposition. You should object to the scope of the examination to the extent the defendant seeks to determine causation of the injuries sustained by plaintiff due to defendant’s negligence.

What does the plaintiff’s attorney need in a medical malpractice case?

What You Should Know About Defense Medical Examinations Defense medical exams are not independent; they are designed to help the defendant prove that your injuries are less severe than what you have claimed. The doctor has been hired by the defense (usually an insurance company), and will typically testify on behalf of the defendant if the case goes to trial.

What happens in a defense medical exam?

Typically the exam will begin with the examiner asking you questions about your past medical history, current injury and how you are feeling now. Be prepared to provide a detailed description of your injuries and how your life has been affected.Jul 18, 2019

How long does it take to get an IME report back in Maryland?

After the IME, the doctor will issue a report. Usually, that takes about 30 days.Oct 2, 2018

What is a Defence doctor?

Defense medical exams are not independent; they are designed to help the defendant prove that your injuries are less severe than what you have claimed. The doctor has been hired by the defense (usually an insurance company), and will typically testify on behalf of the defendant if the case goes to trial.

What is a DME legal?

IME is short for Independent Medical Examination and DME is short for Defense Medical Examination. You will hear these terms used frequently in personal injury cases in California by the involved parties. ... They minimize injuries and save the insurance company money.

How long does an independent medical report take?

However, the reasonable band of timescales for provision of a report after a medical examination probably ranges from about 6 to 10 weeks. You would expect that, once the insurers receive any medical report, they should be in a position to make a settlement offer to you within four weeks or so.Oct 21, 2015

How long does it take to get an IME report back in Pennsylvania?

Generally, the IME report is sent to the insurance company within 30 days or so of the examination.Dec 2, 2015

How do I join the Defence medical services?

QUALIFICATION : The applicant must possess medical qualification included in First/Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule of IMC Act 1956. The applicant must have permanent registration from any State Medical Council/MCI. Post graduate degree holders i.e MD/MS/MCh/DM may also apply.

How do I become a military doctor?

For the role of doctor in Indian Armed Forces, you are required to appear in NEET examination and apply for admission in Armed Forces Medical College . You can opt for an MBBS course there to become a Doctor .Nov 15, 2017

How do I join armed forces medical services?

Postgraduate or diploma holders that are recognized by the State Medical Council/NBE/MCI are also eligible to apply. The candidate should also have passed their final MBBS examination in a first or second attempt only for attaining a grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Armed Forces Medical Services.

What is A Defense Medical Exam?

A defendant in a personal injury case (the person accused of causing another person’s injuries) has the right to have a plaintiff (the person who was injured) examined by a doctor of their own choosing.

What You Should Know About Defense Medical Examinations

Defense medical exams are not independent; they are designed to help the defendant prove that your injuries are less severe than what you have claimed. The doctor has been hired by the defense (usually an insurance company), and will typically testify on behalf of the defendant if the case goes to trial.

What is an independent medical exam?

The “Independent” Medical Exam: Tips on How to Handle the Defense’s IME. In most personal injury lawsuits, the defense has the right to subject you, the plaintiff, to what is called an “independent medical examination" or IME. In theory, the examination is supposed to be conducted by an unbiased healthcare professional who can answer certain legal ...

What is IME evaluation?

Much of the IME is an evaluation of you as a person, even though it is propped up like an objective medical exam. Be pleasant, polite, and courteous with the staff and the IME doctor. Do not get angry or impatient with them, even if they are not being exactly cooperative or friendly themselves.

Is the injured party on trial?

Although you are the injured party and the victim in your case, you will feel like you’re the one on trial during the IME and throughout most of the litigation. The truth is that you are on trial. The defense is constantly evaluating you.

What does a plaintiff's attorney demand?

The Plaintiff’s attorney will demand a copy of any report generated by the Defense’s doctor. This usually includes the main report of the examination, which should set forth the tests conducted during the examination and any opinions or conclusions reached by the doctor.

What is a record review?

In this Record Review, the doctor summarizes the records and comments regarding the treatment of the Plaintiff.

Is IME an independent medical exam?

This examination has often been referred to as an Independent Medical Examination (IME). However, there is nothing “independent” about it. The physician is not neutral. S/He is hired and paid for by the defense – usually the insurance company.

What is the right of a plaintiff?

Plaintiffs have the right to be treated and examined with respect . Plaintiffs have the right to request an ambulance should an injury occur during the IME caused by the IME physician.

How long do you have to respond to a physical examination?

When plaintiff receives a demand for a physical examination he or she have 20 days after the service of the demand to serve their response. Pursuant to C.C.P. §2032.230 (pdf), plaintiff has three options:

What is IME in medical?

IME includes painful, protracted or intrusive tests. Plaintiff is not obligated to file a protective order as it will be defendant’s burden to bring a motion to compel the independent medical examination.

Who can observe a physical examination?

Pursuant to C.C.P. §2032.510 (a) (pdf), plaintiff counsel must be permitted to observe and record a physical examination of their client. Counsel may designate a third person as the observer, provided the representative’s authority to so act is in writing and signed by the attorney. C.C.P. §2032.510 ( c)

Can a plaintiff record audio?

Plaintiff counsel is also entitled to record stenographically or by audio (but not video) technology “ any words spoken to or by the examine during any phase of the examination .” C.C.P. §2032.510 (a) This assures an objective record of what transpired and avoids unseemly dispute at trial between the attorney and the examining physician Weil and Brown, Civil Procedure Before Trial (TRG 2012) ¶8:1587.1 citing Munoz v. Superior Court (1972) 26 CA3d 643, 645-646 (pdf)