If you’ve been injured in a car accident or workplace incident in Michigan, your insurance company might ask you to undergo an Independent Medical Examination (IME). Many victims are surprised to learn that IMEs aren’t really independent at all, and the outcome can directly influence whether you can receive insurance benefits for your losses. Let our Grand Haven personal injury attorney discuss what an IME in Michigan is, how it works, and what you need to watch out for to protect your rights.
What Is an Independent Medical Examination (IME) in Michigan?
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) in Michigan is a medical evaluation requested by an insurance company to verify the nature and extent of your injuries. Unlike the medical care you receive from your treating physician, an IME is not intended to support your recovery. It’s meant to provide the insurer with an outside opinion about your condition.
If you’re receiving no-fault benefits after a Michigan car accident, the law allows your insurer to require you to undergo an IME. The examiner reviews your injuries and determines whether your current medical treatment is necessary. The same is true in workers’ compensation cases, where carriers often order IMEs to assess if you’re able to return to work.
Why Insurance Companies Request IMEs
Insurance companies use IMEs as a tool to evaluate claims. Their main goal is to evaluate the severity of your injuries and decide whether continued treatment is justified. For instance, if you’ve been seeing your doctor regularly for months, the insurer might order an IME to confirm if your treatment is still “reasonable and necessary” under the Michigan no-fault law.
However, it’s important to recognize that IMEs are not always neutral. Because the insurance company pays the doctor, there’s a possibility of bias. Reports sometimes downplay injuries, suggest that ongoing treatment isn’t needed, or even conclude that your condition is unrelated to the accident. These opinions can then be used by the insurance adjuster to limit or deny your benefits.
That’s why many injury victims feel frustrated or even intimidated by the IME process. While insurers present it as routine, the outcome can influence whether your benefits are approved, reduced, or cut off entirely. Working with a qualified Grand Haven personal injury attorney can help you prepare for the IME and protect your rights if the insurer uses the results against you.
The IME Process: What Injury Victims Should Know
If you’re scheduled for an Independent Medical Examination in Michigan, it helps to know exactly what to expect. While every exam is different depending on the type of injury, there are a few common steps most victims experience. These include:
- Review of Medical History
The physician conducting the IME usually has access to your medical records before the exam, and may ask questions about previous injuries, surgeries, or any pre-existing conditions that could affect your current symptoms. Answer honestly, but be mindful. How you respond can be used to evaluate the legitimacy of your personal injury claim.
- Physical Examination
Expect a thorough physical assessment that focuses on the area of your reported injury. For example, if you’re claiming a back injury from a car accident, the doctor examines your range of motion, asks you to perform certain movements, and looks for signs of muscle weakness or pain. It’s not uncommon for the exam to feel rushed or impersonal, especially since the examiner isn’t there to treat you.
- Verbal Questioning and Observation
The examiner might ask about how your injury impacts your daily life and whether you’re able to perform basic tasks. Be aware. The doctor might observe how you walk, sit, or get on and off the exam table to look for inconsistencies between your statements and your movements.
When the stakes are high, especially when benefits for your medical care or lost wages hang in the balance, a competent Grand Haven personal injury attorney can help make sure you’re well-prepared for the IME and that your legal rights are protected.
Legal Challenges with IMEs in Michigan
Disputes over IME reports are common. While IMEs are meant to provide an objective evaluation, many injury victims discover the reports are not fair or accurate. For example, an IME might say you’re able to return to work when your own treating physician insists you still need rest and therapy. That kind of conflict can have a direct impact on your benefits, making it essential to address the disagreement quickly.
An experienced Grand Haven personal injury attorney can challenge an IME report by presenting counter-evidence, such as testimony from your treating doctors, updated medical records, or even expert witnesses who can dispute the IME findings. Local attorneys understand how to question the methodology of the IME, whether the exam was rushed, incomplete, or based on outdated medical standards.
Furthermore, your lawyer can directly confront the doctor who performed the examination. Through a deposition or at trial, your attorney can cross-examine the IME physician on their qualifications and potential biases, question their past relationship with the insurance company, and explore if the examiner has a history of producing reports that consistently favor the denial of no-fault or workers’ comp claims.
Why You Need a Michigan Injury Lawyer for IME Disputes
Dealing with Independent Medical Examinations in Michigan can feel intimidating, especially when you know the insurance company is looking for ways to limit your benefits. The examination itself might be short, but its impact on your case can be long-lasting. Let Shafer Swartz PLC help you prepare ahead of time.
We have the experience to challenge unfair IME findings and safeguard your right to recovery. If the insurance company tries to use a misleading or incomplete IME report to cut off your benefits, our seasoned Grand Haven personal injury attorneys step in to protect your claim. Contact us today at (231) 722-2444 or here to schedule a consultation.