What does an Independent Medical Examiner do?
Syracuse, NY—An Independent Medical Examiner (IME) is someone who conducts an Independent Medical Examination (IME) on an individual who suffered an injury at work. When an injured worker files a workers’ comp claim, the insurer responsible for providing them with benefits can request that they attend an IME. At the IME, the examiner will evaluate the individual’s condition, determine how long care may be needed for, etc.
The examiner hired to perform the exam must carry a valid New York state license and must be board certified1.
Who do IME’s look out for most? A workers’ comp claimant or the insurer?
Unfortunately, the IME looks out for the insurer’s best interest. Why? Because the exams are “paid for by—and conducted on behalf of—insurance companies.”2 In fact, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health states that Independent Medical Examinations are “used by [insurers] as ammunition to challenge claims, lawsuits, and the evaluations of injured workers’ treating physicians.”
Therefore, an Independent Medical Examiner is not an injured worker’s friend. Instead, they work for insurance companies and assist them with their efforts to protect their profits.
How do they do this?
Because insurance companies look to pay as little as possible for a claim, they might hire an IME to conduct an exam to find ways to reduce the carrier’s liability. In some cases, the IME may decide that the injured party is able to work even though they cannot which could result in the carrier not having to provide them with wage replacement benefits. In other cases, the IME might find that the injured party’s benefits should cease earlier than necessary which also helps save the carrier money.
How can an injured worker protect their right to receive workers’ comp benefits?
Because there are many parties working against injured workers who are simply looking to exercise their right to obtain workers’ comp benefits, injured workers are encouraged to retain a Syracuse, NY workers’ compensation lawyer who will put their interests first.
The Syracuse, NY workers’ comp attorneys at Stanley Law understand how important it is for an injured worker to have access to their medical and wage replacement benefits after suffering a work injury and will do all that they can to ensure they are provided with them.
Stanley Law can be contacted at any of their office locations listed down below:
Syracuse Office
215 Burnet Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13203
Phone: 1-800-608-3333
Website: www.stanleylawoffices.com
Binghamton Office
84 Court St, Ste 414
Binghamton, NY 13901
Watertown Office
200 Washington St, Ste 407A
Watertown, NY 13601
Rochester Office
510 Clinton Square Ste 521
Rochester, NY 14604
Montrose Office
22 Public Ave
Montrose, PA 18801
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