[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","about":"Workers' Compensation","wordCount":654,"datePublished":"2022-04-22","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/what-not-to-say-to-your-workers-comp-doctor\/","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/what-not-to-say-to-your-workers-comp-doctor\/","name":"What Not to Say to Your Workers\u2019 Comp Doctor","headline":"What Not to Say to Your Workers\u2019 Comp Doctor","articleBody":"Maryland workers\u2019 compensation law allows injured employees to choose their doctor for treatment after a job injury. The employer\u2019s insurance company must honor the worker\u2019s choice and pay the cost of covered medical expenses stemming from the accidental injury.But getting paid is not always that simple.While the insurer must accept the worker\u2019s choice of provider, it can also ask its own doctor to examine the employee and advise on whether the recommended treatment plan is reasonable and necessary. The results of these independent medical examinations (IMEs) could lead to challenges if the workers\u2019 comp doctor disagrees with the employee\u2019s provider.You should always be honest with your treating physicians. However, you can also protect your claim by learning what not to say to the workers\u2019 comp doctor. An experienced lawyer from Trollinger Law LLC can provide guidance before you submit to an IME in Maryland.What Is an IME for Workers\u2019 Comp?An independent medical examination (IME) is a formal exam that may be performed at some point during a workers\u2019 comp claim or while the injured worker is receiving workers\u2019 comp benefits. The exam involves getting a third-party physician\u2019s opinion on the extent of a claimed work injury, illness, or resulting disability.Typically, an employer or its workers\u2019 compensation insurer will request an employee undergo an IME. This usually happens when the insurer disagrees with the treating provider\u2019s medical opinion or if the doctor deems the employee permanently disabled. Although an employer or insurer \u201crequests\u201d an IME, an employee\u2019s refusal to submit to the exam can result in the denial of workers\u2019 comp benefits.What to Expect During an IMEIn an IME, you will be examined by a medical doctor with expertise in work injuries and occupational illnesses. During the exam, the physician will take your medical history and may perform various physical and\/or lab tests to evaluate your medical condition. After the exam, they will provide a medical opinion to your employer\u2019s workers\u2019 comp insurer.Keep in mind that the physician will also be looking for signs or indications that you are intentionally exaggerating your symptoms. Workers\u2019 compensation fraud happens, and you don\u2019t want to be accused of it.Workers\u2019 Comp Doctors Work for the Insurance CompanyRemember that while your provider is there to help you, the workers\u2019 comp doctor works for the insurance company. For that reason, the doctor will be looking for ways to limit the insurer\u2019s responsibility to pay you full and fair workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Watching what you say can protect your claim. If you\u2019re worried about the IME, a workers\u2019 comp lawyer can coach you on what you should and shouldn\u2019t say.Mistakes to Avoid with Your Workers\u2019 Comp DoctorYou can avoid the common pitfalls that complicate many workers\u2019 compensation claims. Do not:Delay seeking medical treatment for a work injury or occupational illnessExaggerate your symptoms, pain, or limitationsMinimize your symptomsFalsely state or omit facts about the circumstances that led to your injury or illnessLie to cover up prior accidents, injuries, or preexisting conditionsStop treatment before your treating physician declares you reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)Dishonesty could have several consequences. First, it could lead to a denial of workers\u2019 comp benefits. The doctor might decide you\u2019re ready for work when you still need time to recover. And if you are caught submitting a fraudulent claim, you could be fined and forced to repay past benefits.Talk to a Workers\u2019 Compensation Attorney FirstIf you have been asked to undergo an independent medical examination as part of your workers\u2019 comp claim, talk to a Maryland workers\u2019 compensation attorney from Trollinger Law LLC right away. We\u2019ve got the answers you need when times are tough.Call or contact us today for a free consultation.Visit our Workers\u2019 Compensation Attorney offices near Waldorf, MD.","description":"Maryland workers\u2019 compensation law allows injured employees to choose their doctor for treatment after a job injury. The employer\u2019s insurance company must honor the worker\u2019s choice and pay the cost of covered medical expenses stemming from the accidental injury. But getting paid is not always that simple. While the insurer must accept the worker\u2019s choice of provider, it can also ask its own doctor to examine the employee and advise on whether the recommended treatment plan is reasonable and necessary. The results of these independent medical examinations (IMEs) could lead to challenges if the workers\u2019 comp doctor disagrees with the...","dateModified":"2025-08-11","author":{"@type":"Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fecba0beea03ea549751c6d96abc8968?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96,"@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fecba0beea03ea549751c6d96abc8968?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/author\/trollingerlaw\/","name":"Trollinger Law LLC","identifier":8,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/author\/trollingerlaw\/#Person"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Logo-Header-1.svg","height":0,"width":0,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Logo-Header-1.svg"},"name":"Trollinger Law LLC","@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/what-not-to-say-to-your-workers-comp-doctor\/#Organization1"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/What-Not-to-Say-to-Your-Workers-Comp-Doctor.png","height":600,"width":800,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/What-Not-to-Say-to-Your-Workers-Comp-Doctor.png"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/what-not-to-say-to-your-workers-comp-doctor\/#BlogPosting"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Not to Say to Your Workers\u2019 Comp Doctor","item":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/what-not-to-say-to-your-workers-comp-doctor\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]