Tae & Partners

Glossary / Every claim

Independent medical examination

All statesEvery claim

An examination by a doctor chosen by the insurer, or agreed between the parties, to report on the injury and its effects.

The examiner is independent of the treating doctors and reports on diagnosis, causation, permanent impairment and future needs. Insurers are entitled to require an examination on reasonable notice, and refusing can stall the claim. The report is often the most contested document in the file.