5 Steps to Finding the Right IME Doctor for Liability Claims

In liability claims, the credibility of your Independent Medical Examination (IME) physician can make or break your defense. Whether you’re handling bodily injury, product liability, or complex premises claims, one weak link in your expert chain can unravel the entire case. This blog breaks down how to vet IME physicians with precision—so you’re not just meeting deadlines, you’re building defensible outcomes. From credentialing red flags to deposition readiness, we’ll show you what separates a solid expert from one who sinks the case.

Why Physician Vetting Matters in Liability IMEs

An IME physician is more than just a medical reviewer; they’re a key witness whose opinion can be dissected in depositions and trials. A well-vetted IME expert ensures:

• Admissible, defensible medical opinions
• Alignment with jurisdictional standards
• Professional presentation in written reports and court
• Confidence for adjusters and attorneys managing high-stakes claims

If your IME physician lacks proper licensure, a clean background, or the ability to testify effectively, you risk case delays, disputes over admissibility, or even sanctions. Take this real-world example: A national carrier used a neurologist to assess a traumatic brain injury (TBI) claim in a liability case. The expert was board-certified, but under cross-examination, it came out that he hadn’t performed clinical evaluations in over five years. The court deemed his opinion “outdated” and inadmissible. The result? A favorable settlement was pulled off the table, and the case dragged out for another 18 months.

5 Steps to Finding the Right IME Doctor for Liability Claims

The wrong expert can sink a case before it even makes it to deposition. But the right one? They bring clarity, credibility, and courtroom confidence. In this blog, we’ll break down the essential qualities to look for in an IME physician—and how to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re managing high-severity bodily injury claims or slip-and-fall investigations, proper vetting is the difference between smooth resolution and unnecessary litigation.

Step 1: Verify Licensure and Board Certification

The first thing to verify is whether your IME physician is licensed, actively practicing, and board-certified in the right specialty. This may sound obvious, but too often, adjusters rely on vendors who don’t regularly update their credentialing files. Worse, some vendors skip the background check altogether, missing serious red flags like medical board sanctions or malpractice histories.

Make sure to:

• Verify active medical licensure in the state where the exam is performed
• Confirm board certifications relevant to the specialty (e.g., Orthopedic Surgery, Neurology)
• Monitor ongoing status for changes, expirations, or disciplinary actions

Choose vendors who provide consistent monitoring of certifications and licenses, not just a one-time check.

Step 3: Evaluate History and Experience

Not every physician is cut out for depositions. You want someone who not only knows the medicine but can explain it clearly, defend their conclusions, and stay calm under pressure. Ask your IME vendor whether the physician has testified before—bonus points if they’ve done so in similar liability cases. Attorneys often request deposition histories for good reason: past courtroom performance says a lot about future outcomes.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Suspended license
• Pattern of malpractice lawsuits
• Sanctions related to overbilling or unethical conduct
• Unwillingness to disclose deposition history

Even if your physician has the right credentials and courtroom experience, the quality of the IME report itself can make or break the claim. The report should address each specific question asked, contain no internal contradictions, and follow a logical structure. That’s where a robust QA (Quality Assurance) process comes in.

Liability claims often hinge on nuanced causation and apportionment issues. Even the best medical opinion can fall flat if the report is:

• Sloppy
• Lacking detail
• Misaligned with the attorney’s or adjuster’s core questions

Step 4: Match Experts to the Jurisdiction

Each state has its own set of rules regarding IMEs—including physician qualifications, notice requirements, and turnaround expectations. Using an out-of-state provider or failing to meet local guidelines can result in the report being tossed entirely. Your IME partner should have deep knowledge of state-specific compliance and a broad enough network to match the right expert to the right jurisdiction.

Look for providers with access to thousands of physicians and specialty combinations across the U.S. That depth not only supports jurisdictional compliance but it also gives you flexibility to choose the best physician, not just the first available one.

Look for physicians with past litigation experience in similar claim types (e.g., auto liability, general negligence, product liability). Their insight is often sharper and more legally attuned.

Step 5: Ensure Strong Operational Support

Even the best physician can’t produce a strong report if they’re handed a chaotic referral. Operational support from early QA of medical records to clear, structured cover letters helps ensure the IME doctor is well-prepared and focused on the right issues. Your IME partner should sort and index medical records, organize timelines, and prepare the physician with clearly written questions tied directly to the facts of the case.

They should also handle the logistics: confirming appointments, placing reminder calls, and arranging translation or transportation services when needed. A streamlined operations process leads to a cleaner report and a much smoother path toward resolution.

Don’t Just Settle for “Available”

In liability claims, the IME physician is a cornerstone expert. If you wouldn’t trust their credentials in front of a judge, don’t trust them with your case. Vetting your IME physician network isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal necessity. Look for an IME partner that offers:

1. Robust QA processes
2. Physician’s willingness to testify
3. State-by-state regulatory knowledge

Want to learn more about what a reliable IME partner would look like? Contact us today or read more here.