Independent Medical Examiners To Be Wary Of
In Washington state, a doctor’s opinion can make or break a workers’ compensation claim. When you suffer an injury or illness at work, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries or your self-insured employer may require you to see an Independent Medical Examiner. Be aware that many Independent Medical Examiners are on the side of L&I, and their diagnosis could prevent you from getting the benefits you deserve.
List Of Independent Medical Examiners That Work With L&I And Self-Insured Employers
L&I and self-insured employers partner with a number of IME medical organizations, and these groups often work harder to defeat your L&I claim than to support it. Although this may seem surprising, it makes more sense when you realize who pays these companies’ fees: L&I and private insurance companies.
Here are some of the IMEs that regularly work with L&I and self-insured employers:
- Panel of Consultants, Inc.
- Medical Consultants Network
- MES Solutions
- Objective Medical Assessments Corporation
- The Work Clinic
When You Should Contact An Attorney
Once an L&I claims manager orders an Independent Medical Examination to fight your claim, you should immediately contact an L&I attorney. They can identify any tests or procedures that aren’t appropriate to the IME counsel, and counsel you on risky or unfavorable subjects you should avoid discussing during the exam.
Specialization counts when you need to hire a licensed professional like an attorney. Many legal practices accept a wide range of work, from real estate to wills and estates, to taxes. Emery | Reddy focuses on restoring injured employees back to their pre-injury status and protecting workers’ rights. Our experienced, proven team of workers’ compensation lawyers understands how insurance companies work, knows how to submit winning claims, and treats our clients with compassion.
To learn more about IMEs, read our essential tips. The L&I attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC have over 15 years of experience handling L&I claims, employment law cases, and third-party injury claims.
Call us for a free case review and see how we can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Please remember to have your L&I claim number readily available.