Independent Medical Evaluations
If you have been injured on the job, you need to protect your rights to workers’ compensation benefits. While required to have coverage if they have three or more employees, employers, and their insurers, strive to minimize compensation.
Since 1992, Skibiel Law has fought to maximize compensation for Decatur and Jonesboro residents unable to work because of a job-related injury or illness. Our attorneys have 29 years of combines experience defending the rights of our clients to workers’ compensation benefits.
When Employers Request Independent Medical Evaluations (IME)
One of the more common strategies used by insurance carriers and employers is to request an independent medical evaluation (IME). Under Georgia law, they can require a worker injured on the job to undergo such an examination under reasonable circumstances.
Their doctors tend to favor the employers who have various motivations for setting up an IME. First, they want to know if the injury is truly work related. Second, they want an independent doctor’s opinion on a certain type of treatment being reasonable and necessary for the injured worker. Third, independent medical evaluations are used to attach your doctor’s opinion on disability.
The Challenges We Fight To Overcome In Employee IME Requests
Conversely and often in response to the employer’s IME request, injured workers can request a second opinion and submit to an IME with a doctor of their choosing. The request must be made within 120 days of the last receipt of their benefits.
With a mandated deadline, time is of the essence in scheduling an employee-requested IME. Disputes can arise on the definition of the requirement and whether it involves the request for an appointment or completion of the examination. In some situations, a doctor’s schedule will not allow for an IME within that time, but the employer and its insurer were notified of the request within 120 days.
Handling your workers’ compensation request on your own ignores the complexities of the process and your rights. Contact Skibiel Law.
Contact A Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Call us locally at 770-872-4329 or toll-free at 877-874-6650 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation today.
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