Subjection1
Member
What is the name of your state? IL
My brother (I'm asking this for him) had an accident at work where he injured his right hand real badly and now can't use it very well at all. He had surgery and then physical therapy for quite awhile and now it appears that the doctor has decided that no more can be done. My brother has recently been officially terminated from his job as well. He's been on Workers Comp. since the accident. A couple days ago, he had to go to an IME appointment and was examined by a doctor assigned by the employer. My brother tells me this doctor is recommending some new tests such as an Electromyogram, and also said that it appears he has partial blockage of an artery leading into his hand--probably the artery that was injured in the accident and caused so much bleeding. Perhaps this is what's interfering with his hand getting better even after therapy.
My question: Should my brother accept having new tests done? Is it a requirement? He said his lawyer said he doesn't have to prove anything to this doctor and advised him to only answer non-legal and non-medical questions since answers could be used against him. But what if this IME doctor says he can do a procedure that would help my brother's hand get better? Should he go ahead with it, or is that an invitation for trouble. From everything I've heard, the IME doctor is only there to look out for the employer by denying him Worker's Compensation. However, my brother getting his hand fixed is also very important. So I'm asking here to see what you guys think should be done.
My brother (I'm asking this for him) had an accident at work where he injured his right hand real badly and now can't use it very well at all. He had surgery and then physical therapy for quite awhile and now it appears that the doctor has decided that no more can be done. My brother has recently been officially terminated from his job as well. He's been on Workers Comp. since the accident. A couple days ago, he had to go to an IME appointment and was examined by a doctor assigned by the employer. My brother tells me this doctor is recommending some new tests such as an Electromyogram, and also said that it appears he has partial blockage of an artery leading into his hand--probably the artery that was injured in the accident and caused so much bleeding. Perhaps this is what's interfering with his hand getting better even after therapy.
My question: Should my brother accept having new tests done? Is it a requirement? He said his lawyer said he doesn't have to prove anything to this doctor and advised him to only answer non-legal and non-medical questions since answers could be used against him. But what if this IME doctor says he can do a procedure that would help my brother's hand get better? Should he go ahead with it, or is that an invitation for trouble. From everything I've heard, the IME doctor is only there to look out for the employer by denying him Worker's Compensation. However, my brother getting his hand fixed is also very important. So I'm asking here to see what you guys think should be done.