What is a Compulsory Medical Examination and How Can It Impact Your Car Accident Claim?

MARSALISI LAW
May 8, 2022
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Many people who file a claim for injuries sustained in a car accident will be asked to undergo a compulsory medical examination (CME) at some point during their case.  These examinations can be requested by both your own insurance company and the opposing insurance company.  CMEs are examinations that are performed by a physician of the insurance company’s choosing.  CMEs are just one of the tools insurance companies use to try and defend, devalue, deny, or even defeat personal injury claims.

What You Should Expect From Your Compulsory Medical Examination (CME)

The objective of a CME is to verify the initial injury diagnosis and establish whether the specific injury was a direct result of the accident.  The physician will also be checking that the current symptoms and findings match up and are consistent with your diagnosis.

Essentially, CMEs are looking to determine whether an injured victim has had any similar prior injuries, degenerative conditions, or opine that the injuries are exaggerated.  The examining physician conducting a CME is not a treating physician, and there is typically bias in their conclusions.

During your CME, you can expect to:

  • Have your medical history reviewed;
  • Complete a face-to-face interview;
  • Undergo a physical examination;
  • Have your test results analyzed.

Typically, before you even enter the examination room, the doctor conducting your CME will have already reviewed your previous treatment records along with any other records provided to them before your examination.

Can the Results of a Compulsory Medical Examination (CME) Affect Your Claim?

CME physicians are taught thoroughly review prior medical records to identify similar complaints of injury.  They may also try to record potential indicators of fraud or dishonesty.  They may look for verbal behavior indicators, such as neglecting to mention prior injuries, providing too much information, giving overly specific answers, and reacting aggressively to certain questions.

The doctors hired by insurance companies are also trained to detect biopsychosocial and behavioral issues.  The following factors could trigger concern during your CME and affect your claim:

  • Unusual or extreme pain rating;
  • Dissatisfaction in your career;
  • Lack of social support;
  • Low level of educational achievement;
  • Pessimistic attitude;
  • Distrust of doctors;
  • The onset of pain coincident with other life events.

Examining physicians have been known to even go as far as using mock tests to trick a victim into documenting a false complaint.  Therefore, it is crucial to arrive at your CME adequately prepared.  If you have a personal injury attorney representing you for your injury claim, they will adequately prepare you for what to expect during the CME and may even request to have the examination filmed by a videographer of their choosing.

Did You Suffer an Injury During a Car Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?

Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi may not be able to reverse the effects of an injury caused by an auto accident.  Still, he has what it takes to get you the compensation you are entitled to under Florida state law.  He has successfully recovered millions of dollars for thousands of injured victims in St. Petersburg and throughout the Tampa Bay area.

At Marsalisi Law, we walk our clients through the car accident injury process from start to finish.  You will benefit from our honest, personalized client service and trusted legal representation when you partner with us.  Call (727) 800-5052 or fill out our convenient contact form to schedule your free case evaluation today.

Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal!

Schedule A Free Consultation

Frank P. Marsalisi believes that every person injured in an accident deserves the full attention of a personal injury attorney. With tailored legal services fluent in both English and Spanish, you can feel comfortable discussing your claim in either language. Our team at Marsalisi Law has years of experience protecting St. Petersburg residents and will do everything in our power to provide you with the compensation you deserve.

Our team understands how stressful this time can be and will make the process smooth, so you can focus on your recovery. Schedule a free consultation by calling (727) 334-1344 or filling out our contact form today.