Independent Medical Examinations

What an IME Is

An independent medical examination, or IME, is an examination by a clinician who is not the person's treating provider, usually arranged by the defense or an insurer once a plaintiff's mental or physical condition is in dispute. When the claimed injury involves memory, concentration, mood or other brain-based functioning, the IME is a neuropsychological evaluation.

Why the Method Matters

An IME is only useful if both sides can trust it. Dr. Tutty conducts IMEs with the same evidence-based approach he uses in every personal injury evaluation: standardized tests, a documented pre-injury baseline, an open look at alternative explanations, and conclusions that follow the data. One personal injury attorney put it this way:

An evidence-based IME can find real deficits the injury caused, find that problems have other causes, or find a mix of both. It also sets out rehabilitation steps, which matter to everyone if the person is going to recover.

What the IME Covers

• Interview about pre-injury and current functioning
• Review of the medical and psychological records provided
• Standardized testing of cognition, memory, attention, executive functioning, language and motor skills
• Assessment of mood, anxiety and behavioral functioning
• Opinions on causation, prognosis and treatment needs

For the Person Being Examined

If you have been asked to attend a neuropsychological IME, it helps to know what to expect:

• A full neuropsychological IME generally takes most of a day at 353 Lexington Avenue.
• Get a normal night's sleep and eat beforehand.
• Bring glasses, hearing aids and a list of your current medications.
• Try your best on every task. The tests are designed to measure what you can actually do.
• Questions about observers, recording or the scope of the exam are for your attorney to raise before the exam date.

Common Questions