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A QME in California is a physician who has undergone training and is appointed by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Medical Unit to evaluate workers’ disabilities and complete medical-legal reports that are used to determine workers’ eligibility for benefits. They must pass a test and routinely complete continuing medical education (CME) requirements for reappointment.
The doctor’s name is placed in the QME database, which is used when a party involved in a workers’ compensation case requires the assistance of a QME. The DWC Medical Unit randomly generates a list of three (3) evaluators. In some cases, the injured worker selects one of the three evaluators. In other cases, each party gets to “strike” (remove) a name and the one evaluator that remains is the QME for the case. In some cases, additional QMEs with different types of expertise may be required.

An AME is an evaluation that is made by a provider who is selected by agreement between an injured worker’s attorney and the insurance company’s claims administrator or their attorney. Generally speaking, an AME has had additional training and extensive experience in workers’ compensation requirements and work-related injuries. In most cases, AMEs have also served as QMEs.

An IME is a medical evaluation performed by a doctor who was not previously involved in the treatment of that person. The IME will establish an informed expert opinion on the validity and nature of a diagnosis and provide a comprehensive report that addresses several issues.
An IME may be conducted at the request of an employer or an insurance carrier to obtain an independent opinion of the clinical status of the individual. Workers’ compensation insurance carriers, auto insurance carriers, and self-insured employers have a legal right to request an IME.

A comprehensive medical legal evaluation can be performed by an QME, AME, or Primary Treating Physician (PTP) or their delegate, to address a medical legal dispute.

A DWC form designed to be used by the PTP or their delegate to report the initial evaluation of permanent disability to the claim’s administrator.

We evaluate injuries in which one party alleges that another caused them physical or emotional harm.

Our medical expert witnesses provide thoughtful, thorough, well-written reports which express their expert opinions. These reports can be used to settle most claims without going to arbitration or trial. We review and analyze facts (medical records), prepare written statements/reports, and give expert testimony. Depending on the case and the jurisdiction, the opinions of a medical expert may be based on academic studies, their personal experience working in a specified field, or their participation in a medical publication. In some cases, our experts will testify in arbitration or in court.

SIBTF evaluations are used in cases where an injured worker had pre-existing labor disabling conditions before they had their last workers’ compensation injury. There are certain requirements to qualify for SIBTF benefits, and your evaluator is experienced in making those determinations.

FFDEs are medical or psychological evaluations in which a licensed doctor seeks specific information about someone’s physical or mental health as it relates to their ability to perform a job. These types of evaluations are typically requested by employers or government agencies if there is reasonable concern that an employee or potential employee may be unable to perform a specific job. In some occupations, pre-employment and/or routine FFDEs are required for clearance due to job safety concerns.

Short-Term & Long-Term: A comprehensive and thorough evaluation to determine if someone meets the requirements to receive disability benefits. Additional testing may be required in order to complete this type of evaluation.

An EMG measures muscle response to stimulation. During the test, small needle electrodes (wires) are inserted through the skin into the muscle. The electrical activity that muscles make is measured during rest, slight contraction, and forceful contraction.
Nerve Studies are used to determine if there are issues with the way nerves carry signals. Nerve studies use a small amount of electricity to see how it travels along the nerves.
Together, EMG and Nerve Studies are called “Electrodiagnostic Studies.” This type of study is used to help diagnose certain types of nerve and muscle conditions.