Am I Eligible to Make a Claim?
If you suffered an injury due to negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. This could include incidents such as a…
Read moreIndependent medical examination
When making a personal injury claim, you may need to have an independent medical examination to assess the extent of your injuries and the impact they have caused.
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For personal injury claims to be successful, a solicitor must demonstrate the liability of the defendant and the injuries sustained by their client. To do this, your solicitor is likely to arrange an independent medical examination which will provide a thorough review of your condition, the severity of symptoms and impact on your ability to carry out normal tasks.
The medical examination seeks to support your claim and offer impartial proof to the defendant’s legal team as to the confirmation of your symptoms and impact on life. Using the review of the medical examination, your solicitor is then in a strong position to begin negotiating a settlement figure on your behalf. Medical examinations are carried out at no cost to you and serve to strengthen your ability to achieve the maximum amount of compensation possible for your claim. The following guide offers information on what to expect during and after a compensation claim medical assessment.
An independent medical examination is carried out in order to prove the injuries that you have sustained and the symptoms that you are suffering. The defendant’s legal team will require this proof before compensation is paid, as the examination will also highlight any discrepancies in the claim. The examination is an excellent opportunity for you to receive a further review of your symptoms and if necessary, advice on further tests or treatment to help your recover.
Many claimants will have previously seen their GP or received hospital treatment and so question the necessity of further medical examinations. It is important to recognise that the examination that is arranged by your solicitor is independent and therefore fully reliable so far as the defendant’s team are concerned.
The aim of the medical examination is to determine that you are suffering from the injury, illness or symptoms that you are claiming for. In order to offer reliable proof, the medical examiner will specifically look to confirm the severity of your symptoms and how they have impacted on your life.
Your solicitor will arrange the examination with an independent expert, normally one who specialises in the field of medicine relevant to the injury or illness for which you are claiming. The medical examiner will thoroughly assess your case and symptoms to provide their expert opinion. During the examination, the following steps will be taken:
The examination will last from 20 minutes up to one hour depending on the number of symptoms you have and the severity of your condition. Chaperones and same-sex examiners will be made available if you require and request them.
Once the medical examiner has completed their assessment of your condition, they will create a report that is sent back to your solicitor. The report is a strong piece of evidence and confirms the severity of your injury as well as the treatment needed and the overall prognosis for your recovery.
The solicitor will review the medical examiner’s analysis against the rest of the case information and will be in an ideal position to offer realistic outcomes based on their experience and knowledge. The solicitor will then initiate contact with the defendant’s legal team to begin negotiating the best compensation award possible on your behalf.
You are entitled to a copy of the medical report for your reference, and a copy will be added to your medical records for review by your doctor and any other related medical practitioners.