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How Should I Prepare for an Independent Medical Examination in My Connecticut Car Accident Case? - Dan Petroskey · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  How Should I Prepare for an Independent Medical Examination in My Connecticut Car Accident Case?
• 0:04
  If you've been asked to attend an independent medical examination after a Connecticut car accident, what you do before that appointment can significantly shape the outcome of your claim.
• 0:14
  An independent medical examination, or IME, is not a treatment visit — it is a formal medical evaluation conducted for the purposes of an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
• 0:24
  Unlike your treating physician who provides ongoing care, the IME examiner's role is to evaluate your claimed condition on behalf of the requesting party.
• 0:33
  The rules governing an IME depend entirely on who requested it and whether a lawsuit has already been filed in a Connecticut Superior Court.
• 0:41
  If the request comes from your own insurer, the examination is controlled by your policy terms and the applicable insurance law in Connecticut.
• 0:48
  If a lawsuit is underway, Connecticut Practice Book Section 13-11(b) governs the process, allowing any adverse party to file and serve a request for a physical or mental examination.
• 0:59
  Under that litigation process, a written objection to the examination's terms must be filed within 10 days after the request is submitted to the court.
• 1:07
  Connecticut law also provides that a plaintiff cannot be compelled to undergo a physical examination by a specific physician to whom they have objected in writing.
• 1:15
  For a litigation-based IME under Practice Book Section 13-11(b), the requesting party is responsible for paying the examination expense.
• 1:23
  If you receive any invoice following a litigation-related medical examination, forward it directly to your attorney rather than treating it as a standard medical bill.
• 1:31
  Preparing for the examination itself means reviewing your treatment history, current medications, prior injuries, and physical limitations so you can describe them accurately and consistently.
• 1:41
  Bring your photo identification, the appointment notice, any assistive device relevant to your condition, and only those medical records the notice specifically requests.
• 1:51
  Arrive with enough time to check in, wear clothing that allows for the requested physical testing, and carefully review any unexpected release forms before signing them.
• 1:59
  IMEs can also be requested when there is a dispute about whether a prior condition, like a back injury before a rear-end crash, was worsened or newly caused by the accident.
• 2:09
  Having a skilled Connecticut lawyer guide you through this process can help you understand exactly what the notice requires and avoid costly missteps before the examination.
• 2:17
  At DeFronzo & Petroskey, P.C., Waterbury attorney Dan Petroskey can review your IME notice, explain what to expect, and help you prepare with a clear understanding of your rights.
• 2:28
  Call DeFronzo & Petroskey, P.C. at 203, 756, 7408, located at 255 Bank St # 2b, Waterbury, CT 06702, United States, to schedule your consultation and get the guidance you need before your examination.