{"id":543001,"date":"2026-07-29T22:18:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newjerseyheadlines.com\/news\/story\/543001\/queens-personal-injury-attorney-keetick-l-sanchez-explains-defense-independent-medical-examinations-in-new-york.html"},"modified":"2026-07-29T22:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:18:32","slug":"queens-personal-injury-attorney-keetick-l-sanchez-explains-defense-independent-medical-examinations-in-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/story\/543001\/queens-personal-injury-attorney-keetick-l-sanchez-explains-defense-independent-medical-examinations-in-new-york.html","title":{"rendered":"Queens Personal Injury Attorney Keetick L. Sanchez Explains Defense Independent Medical Examinations in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Queens<\/a><\/div>\n

JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY –<\/strong> Injured individuals pursuing claims in New York are frequently required to undergo a defense independent medical examination, commonly known as an IME, arranged and paid for by the opposing insurance company or defense attorney. Queens personal injury attorney Keetick L. Sanchez of K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. (https:\/\/accidentlawyer-queens.com\/blog\/defense-ime-strategy\/<\/a>) has released guidance explaining what a defense IME is, why insurers request these exams, what rights claimants have under New York law, and how the resulting report can affect an injury claim.<\/p>\n

According to Queens personal injury attorney Keetick L. Sanchez, the word “independent” can be misleading, because the examining physician does not treat the claimant and does not work on the claimant’s behalf. “Despite the name, a defense IME is not neutral in the way many people assume,” Sanchez explains. “The physician is hired by the insurer to evaluate injuries, and understanding that distinction from the start helps clients prepare properly.”<\/p>\n

Queens personal injury attorney Keetick L. Sanchez notes that the examination typically involves an orthopedist, neurologist, or other specialist who reviews medical records, asks how the injury occurred, and performs a brief physical assessment before preparing a written report. That report may conclude that injuries are less serious than a treating physician found, that a condition stems from a pre-existing problem, or that continued care is not medically necessary. Each of these conclusions, Sanchez emphasizes, can be challenged with the right evidence and preparation.<\/p>\n

Attendance at a properly requested exam is generally mandatory. Under New York’s no-fault regulations at 11 NYCRR 65-3.5, attendance at scheduled examinations is a condition of coverage, and missing one without justification can allow an insurer to deny pending and future no-fault benefits tied to that verification request. In a personal injury lawsuit, the defense’s right to a physical examination arises under CPLR § 3121 once a plaintiff places physical condition at issue by filing suit, and repeated noncompliance with a court-ordered exam can lead to discovery sanctions, preclusion of medical evidence, or dismissal.<\/p>\n

Sanchez points out that claimants retain important rights during the process. “The examination should relate only to the injuries and conditions at issue in the claim,” she says. “It is not an open-ended interview, and any invasive or painful procedure requires the claimant’s consent.” In personal injury litigation, New York courts permit a claimant to have a representative present during a physical examination, often a member of the attorney’s staff, and under CPLR § 3121 each party is entitled to exchange the examination reports.<\/p>\n

Preparation, according to Sanchez, is the single most important factor in a defense IME. She advises clients to review their own treatment history for accuracy, arrive on time in ordinary clothing, bring identification and the exam notice, and answer only what is asked. “One of the most common mistakes is oversharing,” Sanchez observes. “A casual comment like ‘I’m feeling better lately’ can appear in a report in a way that undermines the claim, so honest, brief answers focused only on what is asked serve the client best.” She also recommends that claimants note how long the exam lasted and which tests were actually performed.<\/p>\n

The distinction between an IME and an Examination Under Oath is another point clients often overlook. An IME is a medical examination conducted by a doctor, while an EUO is sworn, recorded testimony taken by the insurer’s attorney about the facts of the claim. Both may be required in a no-fault matter, and missing either can jeopardize benefits.<\/p>\n

After the exam, the physician prepares a written report describing the tests performed and conclusions about the claimant’s condition. Attorney Sanchez notes that in litigation, CPLR § 3121 allows exchange of the examining physician’s detailed report, and in no-fault claims an insurer relying on a medical examination to deny benefits must release a copy of the report upon written request. A negative report, she adds, can be used to cut off no-fault benefits, reduce a settlement offer, or challenge credibility at trial, but it does not end a case. Sanchez notes that an unfavorable report can be countered through rebuttal letters from a treating physician, testimony from a retained expert, and cross-examination of the IME doctor regarding the length of the exam, the tests performed, and the conclusions reached.<\/p>\n

The firm represents clients in defense IME matters throughout Queens, the Bronx, and New York City, including cases before Queens County Supreme Court and the Civil Court of the City of New York. For those facing a defense independent medical examination, consulting a personal injury attorney early may help protect the value of a claim and ensure the examination stays within its proper scope.<\/p>\n

About K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C.:<\/strong><\/p>\n

K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C. is a personal injury firm located at 37-06 82nd St #304, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Led by attorney Keetick L. Sanchez, who is admitted to practice in New York and Texas, the firm represents injured clients across Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Nassau County in matters including motor vehicle accidents, Labor Law claims, and slip-and-fall cases. For consultations, call (646) 701-7990.<\/p>\n

Embeds:<\/p>\n

Youtube Video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sE9lmmQ48O8<\/a><\/p>\n

GMB: https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps?cid=2729652254808699760<\/a><\/p>\n

Email and website<\/p>\n

Email: accidentlawny1@gmail.com<\/p>\n

Website: https:\/\/accidentlawyer-queens.com\/<\/p>\n

Media Contact<\/span>
Company Name:<\/strong> K L Sanchez Law Office, P.C.<\/a>
Contact Person:<\/strong> Keetick Sanchez
Email:<\/strong> Send Email<\/a>
Phone:<\/strong> (646) 701-7990
Address:<\/strong>37-06 82nd St #304
City:<\/strong> Jackson Heights
State:<\/strong> New York 11372
Country:<\/strong> United States
Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/accidentlawyer-queens.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY – Injured individuals pursuing claims in New York are frequently required to undergo a defense independent medical examination, commonly known as an IME, arranged and paid for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543001"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543001\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}