What is an Independent Medical Examination (IME) and do I have to attend?

An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical evaluation requested by the defendant's insurance company or attorneys, conducted by a doctor of their choosing. Despite the name, IMEs are rarely truly independent — the examining physician is paid by the defense and typically selected because they have a history of minimizing injuries in litigation contexts. The IME doctor reviews your medical records and examines you briefly, then produces a written report that insurers use to challenge the severity of your injuries, dispute the necessity of future treatment, or attribute your complaints to pre-existing conditions. If your case is in litigation, you are generally legally required to attend a defense IME under court rules governing discovery. If you are in pre-litigation negotiations, you typically have no obligation to attend. Always prepare for an IME with your attorney: be thorough in describing all your symptoms, do not minimize your complaints, and be aware that everything you say and do from the moment you arrive is being observed.