Legal Question in Personal Injury in New York
independent medical exam
is it common for the plaintiffs attorney himself,to go to an IME with his client ?If so what is the logic behind it. Why not the firms nurse ?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: independent medical exam
The logic is so that the doctor doesn't try to do anything legally inappropriate. Most law firms do not employ a nurse. Further most IME's do not have any medical value but are done for the purpose of helping the insurance company depend against a claim by the plaintiff. Attending an IME with a client, is proper lawyering, however, if it is necessary for the client to be in a state of undress, certainly a level of modesty and privacy should be maintained by the lawyer to the extent practical.
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Re: independent medical exam
Because lots of times there a questionnaires that go beyond the scope of medical information and if filled out by the client may be used against them at a trial.
We advise our clients to only put medical information on the forms and answer medical based questions like "What was hurt during the accident?" NOT "How did the accident happen?"