| If you have been injured in a Massachusetts auto | | | | If language in your insurance documents requires |
| accident and want to recover compensation for your | | | | the evaluation |
| injuries from an insurance company, you may be | | | | Circumstances allow for a Judge to mandate the |
| asked to undergo an independent medical evaluation | | | | evaluation |
| (IME). The independent medical evaluation is a standard | | | | If your physical or mental disabilities are in dispute |
| by which you can prove the validity of your injuries | | | | There are also circumstances when an independent |
| and gain compensation for them. | | | | medical evaluation cannot be ordered, including: |
| Why Get an Independent Medical Evaluation? | | | | The evaluation places undue burden on you |
| Recovering compensation for an accident-related | | | | If you only file suit to cover the damages to your |
| injury is not as simple as it sounds. The main reason | | | | vehicle |
| for this is the party paying for this compensation-be it | | | | If you file suit after the injury in question has healed |
| your insurance company or the insurance company of | | | | How the Required Independent Medical Evaluation Can |
| the at-fault driver-does not want to dish out large | | | | Help You |
| sums of money, particularly if you are not actually | | | | If you are filing a personal injury claim against another |
| injured. | | | | party it is very likely that you will be required to submit |
| Thus, the party from which you seek to recover | | | | an independent medical evaluation. This does not mean |
| compensation will want to have an independent | | | | your claim is being denied, although it could be used |
| physician examine you. The reason that the physician | | | | against you depending on what the doctor finds. |
| is "independent" is because it is assumed that your | | | | An independent medical exam could just as easily help |
| personal physician may be biased towards you and | | | | you in the long run if the doctor can support your injury |
| may exaggerate your medical condition to help you | | | | claim. Treat this evaluation like any other medical |
| with your claim. The party being sued will also want to | | | | examination, tell the physician everything about your |
| be sure that your injuries cannot be attributed to | | | | injuries and be completely honest. |
| another cause besides your accident. | | | | If you still feel any hesitation about the evaluation, know |
| If you do not want to go through the independent | | | | that your Massachusetts personal injury attorney can |
| medical evaluation, there may be several cases in | | | | advise you during this process. A qualified attorney can |
| which you are still forced to comply: | | | | help you prepare for your independent medical |
| If your claim is in any way questionable | | | | evaluation and ease any concerns you have. |