Principle Attorney
Work comp law states that if you’ve been hurt, your employer or their workers’ comp insurance company can require you to get what’s known as an independent medical examination, or IME. In reality they’re anything but independent – they almost always done by a hired-gun doctor paid to give the employer a medical report that’s in the employer’s favor. The exams can be unpleasant for you to go through and inconvenient to arrange. Sometimes they involve travel and in some cases even an overnight stay.
The new law helps you by stating that if an employer or insurer schedules an IME that will cost you money to attend, the employer must give you money in advance to pay for those costs. Those costs can include transportation (plane, bus or other means), mileage, food and lodging. If you ask for estimated travel expenses in advance and the employer or insurer won’t give you the money, you can refuse to attend the independent medical evaluation and not be penalized.
You have to ask for the advance, though. So if you’re told that you need an IME it’s a good idea to put together some estimated costs to give to the employer or insurer. The workers’ compensation attorneys at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya can help you with this.
If you’ve been hurt in a Colorado work accident, give me a call at (303) 758-4777, send me an email at DLS@dlslawfirm.com or visit us on the web at www.dlslawfirm.com. Let’s talk about your case. There’s no cost or obligation. We can help you get the money you and your family deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered. And remember: If we take your case, we don’t get paid unless you get paid.