{"id":352944,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/independent-medical-examination.html"},"modified":"2025-10-15T10:04:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:04:44","slug":"independent-medical-examination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/independent-medical-examination.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Independent Medical Examination for an Injury Claim?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is an Independent Medical Examination for an Injury Claim?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

An independent medical evaluation (IME) is an exam that offers an unbiased medical opinion<\/span> of an injury. This exam may be required in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Refusing the exam may risk the dismissal or denial of your claim for fair compensation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

An evaluation from a doctor other than the victim\u2019s doctor may be required in a personal injury case<\/span>. This is known as an “independent medical evaluation<\/span>” or, more commonly, an “independent medical examination<\/span>” (IME).<\/p>\n

Serious injury accidents can involve significant financial compensation, either from:<\/p>\n