After an accident, insurance companies often look for ways to question how serious an injured person’s condition is and what caused it. One common tool insurance adjusters use is an independent medical examination.
However, the “independent” label is a misnomer, as the insurer chooses and pays the doctor who conducts the IME.
Questions about a Tennessee independent medical examination often arise in car accident claims, slip-and-fall cases, and other personal injury matters.
A fair recovery depends on strong medical proof, which can make an IME feel stressful and one-sided. At The Terry Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys can explain how IMEs work and what they could mean for your claim, so you can stay prepared and protect your financial future.
What Is an Independent Medical Exam and Why Is It Requested?
A Tennessee independent medical exam is a one-time evaluation by a doctor who reviews your history and examines you, then writes a report. In many claims, an insurer requests an IME when it disputes the need for treatment, questions ongoing symptoms, or challenges the expected duration of recovery.
Insurance companies request Tennessee independent medical exams when they question the case’s value. The IME report could, for example, claim you healed sooner than your own doctor says, suggest a prior condition caused your pain, or argue that certain care was not necessary. Such opinions can affect settlement talks and can also be used if the case goes to court.
Your Rights and What to Expect During an IME in Tennessee
Tennessee rules govern how an IME is conducted, including the timing, location, and scope of the exam. A clear plan matters because the examining doctor is not there to treat you, and the visit may feel more like a review for the insurance company than a medical appointment. Guidance from a personal injury attorney can help you understand what is reasonable to expect and what crosses the line.
Helpful items and details to have ready for an IME include the following:
- A simple timeline of symptoms, treatment visits, and work limits
- A list of medications and providers, plus any assistive devices you use
- Notes on what activities increase pain and what helps relieve it
How IMEs Can Impact Your Personal Injury Case in Tennessee
The IME report often becomes a key document in the insurance company’s claim file. If the doctor minimizes your condition, the insurer may use that opinion to push for a lower settlement, deny future care, or argue that you should return to work sooner.
Even so, an IME does not automatically decide your case. Your treating doctors, imaging results, therapy notes, and day-to-day limits still carry weight, and the IME opinion can be challenged. Our personal injury lawyers can review the report for mistakes, missing facts, and unfair conclusions, then use your medical records and other evidence to respond in a way that supports a fair outcome.
Contact The Terry Law Firm for Guidance on Your Tennessee Injury Case
A Tennessee independent medical exam can feel like a turning point because the insurer may rely on that report in an attempt to minimize your compensation. A steady approach helps, including understanding the purpose of the visit, keeping your answers truthful and simple, and staying consistent with your medical history.
The Terry Law Firm is ready to review your unique situation and explain how Tennessee independent medical exams fit into the claims process and what steps can protect your case.
Please contact us online for a free consultation.
