Hawaii Injured Workers Group

[BvIA]

States vary on how IME's are viewed. Some IME's or QME, AME etc are contracted by the state, but paid by the carrier. Some are simply IME, or like it means, Independant Medical Evaluator.
Dr's are one of two things... employed by, or self employed. It may be cost effective for IC's to employ Dr's to perform IME evaluations...or not.

It would be difficult to prove in court that any Dr ''falsified'' notes. It's not possible to legislate anyones ''opinion'', and thats' what an IME is offering...opinion. Supposedly backed up by sound medical reasoning...depending on what the statutes require of IME.

are independent medical examiners hired by i/c attorneys considered private contractors hired to give opinions,

Yes...

can they be sued in small claims court for falsifying notes?

You can sue, or take anyone to court, for whatever reason you feel appropriate. Whether or not you prevail is the real issue.
You take an IME to court due to an unfavorable report and it's likely to never see the courtroom... but tossed by the judge as frivolous.
Thats what the comp courts are for... disputed medical issues.

[up2god]

can you sue the I.M.E doctor that was hired by the insurance carriers attorney ? Are the I.M.E. doctors considered an independent contractor ?

[BvIA]

Re phrasing the orginial question isn't going to change the answer.

You cannot legislate opinions. And opinion is what the IME doctors are offering. Nothing illegal about that.

Are the I.M.E. doctors considered an independent contractor ?

For the most part Doctors are self employed...if that's what you mean by ''independant contractor''.... there may be Dr's on salary of the carriers... but what difference does it make ?

It would be VERY costly for IC's to ''employ'' Dr's on staff for the sole purpose of performing IME evaluation on IW's. They would have to have Dr's in every state they sell WC policies in and administer claims.

if your taking pills like vicodin and ambien mixed to stop th pain and put u to sleep from anxietys due to your injury is that considered another claim for work comp

Stop taking the medication. Anxiety is the side affect... talk to your Dr about another 'cocktail' for pain management/sleep.

[up2god]

are i.m.e. doctors private contractors ? if hired by i/c attorney's and are not employed by i/c does that make them independent contractors .? can an i.m.e doctor give an exam while employee is on VICODINS A NARCOTIC DURING A SPINAL EXAM for PAIN EVALUATION???????

[BvIA]

Private or independant contractor means they are ''self employed'', I don't know what your concern is regarding how this Dr/IME pays his taxes (?) Whether or not the IME is ''employed'' by the carrier doesn't matter...its' a IME, a medical evaluation performed by, and opinion issued by a Dr who has not been involved in your treatment before.
Regardless of the employment relationship, the IME is paid by the carrier... but then so is your treating physician.

can an i.m.e doctor give an exam while employee is on VICODINS A NARCOTIC DURING A SPINAL EXAM for PAIN EVALUATION???????

Of course. And the medications you are taking are considered in the evaluation. Vicodin is a pain relief medication... but one of the most mild you can be Rx'd. Vicodin is not in a class like Percodan/Percocette or Oxycontin... hydrocodone would be.
You aren't necessarily being evaluated for 'pain'...but the cause of the pain. That cause is what is to be treated to ''cure and/or relieve from the effects of your injury''.
Everyone has 'pain' at some time or another...thats' why there are the billions of OTC medications sold every year.