Injuries & Disabling Conditions

Workers’ Compensation Overview

Defense Medical Exams

At Glass & Korein, LLC, we are dedicated to fighting for injured workers located in East St. Louis, Belleville and throughout Southern Illinois and Central Illinois. One aspect of the workers’ compensation process about which we provide advice and information to clients is the defense medical exam. Contact us to learn more about a defense medical exam.

Information About Defense Medical Exams

Employers try to call these an “independent medical exam” or (IME), but they are not. Such an exam is conducted by a doctor chosen by the defense. The doctor who performs the exam is hired by the defense to give opinions on a variety of subjects, such as whether the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor is warranted, or whether your work status after the incident is valid. You cannot be forced to be treated by the defense doctor under Illinois law.

When you are in the defense doctor’s office, it is essential to understand that the Hippocratic Oath does not apply. The oath doctors take to “first, do no harm” is not applicable since there is no physician-patient relationship between you. The defense doctor is only involved as a witness for the employer, not a treatment provider. Be honest and straightforward in answering questions. Submit to the exam, but speak as little as possible. Anything you say to the defense examiner can and will be used against you.

Work Injury Medical Treatment: St. Clair County, Illinois

It is important to realize that you may be under surveillance from the point you arrive in the parking lot until the time you leave a defense medical exam. The defense may hire investigators to observe you, looking for inconsistencies between your physical activities and your statements about how you’re managing.

Contact Our Belleville Workers’ Comp Medical Exam Lawyer

Our attorneys invite you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation regarding any workers’ compensation matter. We can be reached at 618-216-5218 or at the addresses listed below.

Weekend and evening appointments are available. We serve our clients on a contingent fee basis; you won’t pay us unless we have done our job and collected money for you.