Information for Claimants
Attending an independent medico-legal examination? This guide explains what to expect, how to prepare, and what to do before and on the day.
Your Examination Step by Step
The medico-legal examination process is coordinated through the referring party, with VERIFY managing the appointment, paperwork, specialist brief and report delivery pathway.
The appointment is booked
Your lawyer or insurer refers your matter to VERIFY. We coordinate the specialist appointment and confirm the date, time and location through the referring party.
Paperwork is sent to you or your legal representative
VERIFY sends the Claimant Questionnaire and Informed Consent form to you and/or your legal representative to complete before the examination.
The specialist receives the medical brief
Before your appointment, the specialist receives the medical brief, records, imaging and instructions prepared for the examination.
You attend the examination
The specialist asks about your injury, symptoms, treatment and daily function, and may complete a physical or clinical examination.
The report is provided to your legal representative
The specialist prepares the report, VERIFY completes its quality review, and the report is provided to the referring party.
Appointment Guide
What to Expect – Every Step of the Process
Select your appointment type for step-by-step guidance on how to prepare and what happens at each stage of your examination.
Select your appointment type
Complete your paperwork
VERIFY will send a Claimant Questionnaire and Informed Consent form to you and/or your legal representative. Both must be completed and returned before your appointment date. If you have not received them in time, contact your legal representative immediately.
Notify us of any special needs
Contact your legal representative or VERIFY's office early if you need to cancel or reschedule, require a qualified interpreter, or wish to bring a support person. All requests must be made in advance.
What to bring or send
- Current photo ID – driver licence or passport
- Completed Claimant Questionnaire and Informed Consent form
- Any X-rays, CT scans, or MRI results relevant to your injury
What to wear
- Loose, comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to partially disrobe
- Short sleeves for upper-limb injuries; loose shorts or a skirt for lower-limb or hip assessments
- Avoid tight jeans or restrictive trousers
When to arrive
- Aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled time
- Additional paperwork may need to be completed on arrival
- Running late? Call VERIFY on 07 3356 0469
Present your ID and paperwork
Upon arrival, present your photo ID and completed paperwork to reception staff. This is a mandatory step at all examinations and must be completed before you are seen by the specialist.
The specialist will interview you
The specialist will have already reviewed your full medical brief. They will ask about the circumstances of your injury, your symptoms and treatment history, and how your condition affects your work and daily life.
Answer honestly and fully
The examination is independent and objective, and its purpose is to obtain an accurate medical opinion. Please describe your symptoms, limitations, and experience as they genuinely are, without minimising or exaggerating.
Physical assessment
For physical injuries, the specialist will conduct a focused clinical examination. You may be asked to partially undress or perform specific movements. The specialist will explain each step, and you are welcome to let them know if anything is uncomfortable.
Support persons
If you brought a support person, they will wait in reception during the examination. A support person may only be present in the examination room if prior approval has been obtained from all parties.
The specialist is not your treating doctor and will not provide clinical advice, treatment referrals, or prescriptions. Continue to see your regular treating practitioners for all ongoing medical care.
The specialist prepares the report
Following the examination, the specialist prepares a detailed medico-legal report addressing the specific questions raised in the brief. The report reflects their independent clinical opinion based on the examination and documentation provided.
VERIFY quality assurance review
Before delivery, VERIFY conducts a quality assurance review to ensure the report is accurate, complete, and meets the required standard. This is a standard step for every report we coordinate.
Report delivered to your legal respresentative
The completed report is delivered to the referring party, typically a lawyer or insurer. You will not receive the report directly from VERIFY. Please speak to your legal representative to obtain a copy.
Your legal representative advises on next steps
Your legal representative will review the report and advise you on how it affects your claim. If you have concerns about the findings, please discuss them with your legal representative, who is best placed to advise on how to respond.
Do not contact the specialist directly regarding the report or your claim. All correspondence must be directed through the referring party.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions claimants ask us most about the independent medico-legal examination process.
What is an Independent Medico-Legal Examination (IME)?
An IME is a medical examination conducted by a specialist who is not the claimant's treating doctor. It is commissioned by a party to a legal or insurance claim, typically a lawyer or insurer, to obtain an independent, impartial medical opinion. The specialist assesses the claimant's injuries or medical conditions, considers causation, and provides opinions on matters such as impairment, treatment, prognosis, and capacity for work. The written report is used in the resolution of legal, insurance, or compensation claims.
Who is an independent medical examiner, and are they my treating doctor?
An independent medical examiner is a specialist medical practitioner or allied health professional engaged to provide an objective, expert opinion on a claimant's condition. They are not the your treating doctor and will not provide clinical care. Their role is to assess the your injuries and provide an impartial written report to the referring party, usually the lawyer or the insurer. Examiners are selected for their expertise in the relevant specialty and their experience in the medico-legal context. You should continue to see your regular treating doctors for ongoing medical care.
What happens at the IME, and what questions might I be asked?
On arrival, you will complete paperwork and present photo identification. The specialist, who will already have read your medical brief, will typically ask about how the incident occurred, the nature, location, and severity of your symptoms, your treatment history, how your condition has progressed, and its impact on your work, daily activities, and pre-existing health. Please answer honestly and as accurately as you can. For a physical injury, a focused clinical examination will also be conducted, after which the specialist prepares a written report for your legal representative.
What should I bring to the IME, and can I bring someone with me?
Please bring photographic identification (driver licence or passport), your completed Informed Consent form, and Claimant Questionnaire (if applicable), plus any X-rays, CT scans, or MRI results for a physical examination. VERIFY sends the questionnaire and consent form to you and your legal representative before the appointment. Contact them as soon as possible if you have not received these. You are welcome to bring a family member, friend, or support person. In most cases, however, they will be asked to wait in reception during the examination itself. If the specialist permits a support person to be present, they are there solely to provide emotional support, and must not participate in, answer questions during, or interrupt the examination. Please advise VERIFY's office in advance if you wish to bring a support person.
Can I record the examination?
No. You are not permitted to record the examination using any audio, video, or personal recording device. Attempting to make an unauthorised recording may result in the examination being terminated.
What if I need an interpreter?
If you need an interpreter, please advise your legal representative as soon as possible. They can either arrange a qualified interpreter directly or ask VERIFY to arrange one on their behalf. Interpreter bookings take time to organise, so early notice is important.
What if I feel unwell, am unable to attend, or am running late?
Contact VERIFY's office immediately on 07 3356 0469 and notify the referring party as soon as possible. We will advise the specialist and, where possible, arrange a new time or confirm whether the appointment can still proceed. Please note that short-notice cancellations, non-attendance, and significant lateness may each attract a fee, and these are generally invoiced to the referring party.
What are the Informed Consent Form and Claimant Questionnaire?
The Informed Consent Form asks for your consent to the examination, including any physical assessment where applicable, the review of your medical records, and how the report will be used. The Claimant Questionnaire asks for background information about you, your injury, and your treatment history, so the specialist can prepare ahead of your appointment. Both forms are sent to you and/or the referring party before the appointment. Please complete and return them as instructed.
Do I have to pay for the examination?
No, you do not pay for your examination directly. No payment will be requested of you by VERIFY on the day. The cost of the examination and the medico-legal report is invoiced directly to the referring party, and is payable as part of your overall legal costs. If you have any concerns about this, please speak to your legal representative.
Can I get a copy of the report?
The report is prepared for the referring party and is provided directly to them. VERIFY is unable to release the report to you. If you wish to obtain a copy, please speak to your legal representative.
Have a question that is not covered here? We are here to help. Reach out to our team and we will get back to you shortly.