What Is an Independent Medical Examination?

Quick Summary

• An independent medical examination (IME) is an assessment by a medical expert, arranged by your solicitor, specifically to evaluate your injury for the purposes of your claim
• It's separate from your ongoing NHS or GP treatment — the expert's role is to assess and report, not to treat you
• The resulting report is central to valuing your general damages, since it establishes the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis
• The appointment is usually straightforward: a discussion of what happened and your symptoms, followed by a relevant physical or psychological assessment

What is an independent medical examination?

An independent medical examination, often called an IME, is an assessment carried out by a medical expert — a consultant, specialist, or in some cases a psychiatrist or psychologist for psychological injuries — arranged specifically for the purposes of your compensation claim. It's "independent" in the sense that the expert's role is to give an objective clinical opinion for the court and the parties involved, rather than to provide ongoing treatment.

This is different from seeing your own GP or hospital consultant, whose role is to treat you. The IME exists specifically to produce a report that can be relied on to value your claim fairly.

Why is it needed if I've already seen my GP or been to hospital?

Your GP and hospital records are important supporting evidence, but they're generally created for treatment purposes, not for formally assessing the severity of an injury against the legal framework used to value compensation. An independent expert provides a focused assessment addressing exactly what's needed for your claim: how the accident caused your injury, its current severity, and — critically — your prognosis for recovery.

What actually happens at the appointment?

• You'll typically discuss how the accident happened and the history of your symptoms since
• The expert will carry out a relevant physical examination (for a physical injury) or a structured clinical assessment (for a psychological injury)
• They may ask about the impact of the injury on your daily life, work, and activities
• The appointment is usually a single visit, though more complex or serious injuries occasionally need more than one assessment, or assessment by more than one specialist

The tone is clinical and professional — it's an assessment, not a hearing or a test you can "fail."

What does the report cover?

The report typically confirms the diagnosis, links it to the accident where appropriate, describes the current severity, and gives a prognosis — an expert view on how your injury is likely to progress and whether full recovery is expected. This prognosis is often the single most important factor in valuing general damages.

Who arranges and pays for the IME?

Your solicitor arranges the appointment as part of preparing your claim. Under a Conditional Fee Agreement, the cost is generally not something you pay upfront — it's typically recovered from the other side if your claim succeeds, or covered by arrangements set out in your funding agreement if it doesn't.

What if I disagree with something in the report?

Tell your solicitor. It's not unusual for a claimant to feel a report doesn't fully capture the impact of an injury, and your solicitor can raise this with the expert or, in some circumstances, arrange for further clarification or an additional opinion.

Do I need more than one IME?

For straightforward injuries, usually one assessment is enough. For more complex, serious, or multiple injuries — or where different specialists are needed for different aspects of an injury — more than one assessment may be arranged.

Frequently asked questions

Will the IME doctor tell my employer what I said?

No — the report is prepared for your claim and shared with the relevant parties to the claim (including the other side's insurer, as part of the normal process), not directly with your employer or workplace management.

How soon after my accident does the IME happen?

This depends on your recovery — your solicitor will generally want your condition to be clear enough to give a meaningful prognosis, which sometimes means waiting for initial healing before the assessment, rather than rushing it too early.

What if I'm nervous about the appointment?

This is a normal reaction, particularly for a first-time claimant. Your solicitor can explain exactly what to expect beforehand, and the appointment itself is a clinical assessment, not an adversarial process.

Preparing for your claim's medical evidence

A solicitor can talk you through exactly what to expect for your specific type of injury.

Free case assessment

Or call 01228 272395 to speak to Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA number: 800525). No upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.