IME vs PMD please help!

[1027]

My question is how much weight does the IME have over the PMD(Surgeon)? My son, 20 yrs old had a significant hand injury, with a saw in Nov 2009, he had a full amputation of his left ring finger, cut through the mid finger knuckle and across the hand, severing the tendons to the index finger. He had a 6hr surgery to reattach the finger, which was successful, although the finger is discolored, bent (swan neck) and has no function. Spent 8 days inpatient then June of 2010, had a tendon transplant and hand graft from the left wrist. The surgeon has discharged him as of Dec 2010, with a 7.5% loss, which we would like to question. He is very hard to talk to, very nasty, and full of himself, I guess the rating reflects his work! The judge today has asked for another IME, his last one was Nov 22, 2010, and stated this would be a permanent partial disability. The lawyer doesn't think the Ins Co will approve this visit, and will rely on the PMD rating. His final report states the ring finger PIP joint is hyperextended and flexes at 45 degrees, the DIP joint is stiff at 45 degrees., there is decreased sensation with some capillary refill. The long finger has a contracture at the PIP joint of 10 degrees, the r-hand grip is 110 lbs and the left hand is 70 lb. He is status post scarred extensor tendon left long finger, s/p tenolysis, tendon graft and joint release, s/p open fracture proximal phalanx left long finger, s/p amputation l-ring finger with replantation. The surgeon has stated he will not benefit from further surgery. Hope this helps, what advise can you give me, the lawyers think the IME will come in higher. The 7.5 % has entitiled him to 18 weeks, he has been on WC for 14 months, seen the IME 3x, and surgeon every 6 weeks. He has been overpaided!! Lawyers said we don't have to pay it back, but the ins co states it on there form? TY for any advise you can give me.

[1171]

different weights with different people.
obviously little weight with the carrier and more weight with the judge.
if it goes to hearing i would expect the judge to use IME rating.

your son will just have to weigh the value of fighting versus a quicker result.
will the $$ difference in ratings be worth the delays and aggravation?

[1027]

(02-09-2011 11:46 PM)1171 Wrote:  different weights with different people.
obviously little weight with the carrier and more weight with the judge.
if it goes to hearing i would expect the judge to use IME rating.

your son will just have to weigh the value of fighting versus a quicker result.
will the $$ difference in ratings be worth the delays and aggravation.

Thanx for the advise, we are hoping the judge does use the IME over the PMD, it willbe much higher, and hope the judge will award him extra money, TY

[countryygrl]

Good for you the IMe beats out every other doc no matter how many docs you see but bad in some cases like mine...my ime docs say nothing is wrong even though I have 3 docs and a physical therapist who says different....ime doc I had didn't even touch me or examine me yet says nothing is wrong so no worries ime rules over anyone.....

[sonny1]

(02-22-2011 12:58 AM)countryygrl Wrote:  Good for you the IMe beats out every other doc no matter how many docs you see but bad in some cases like mine...my ime docs say nothing is wrong even though I have 3 docs and a physical therapist who says different....ime doc I had didn't even touch me or examine me yet says nothing is wrong so no worries ime rules over anyone.....

sorry to hear you had such bad experiences. I was sent to the same IME DR. 3 times (all related to same case/10 hand surgeries) over a period of 3 years. He could not believe the IC was sending me there because he could clearly see the damage to my hands. He even told them (IC) that my right hand basal joint would need replacing in a short time, that it was best for them to approve it now and not to have to send me back there. The 3rd visit, he even seemed upset @ the IC for putting me and him through these visits. This is in NYS. I am sure there are many Dr.'s who do not have the best bed side manner. I have been pleased with mine, not because he sided with me, but because he was truthful. EVERYTHING I complained about and had surgery on was the truth, there is no way I would want any surgery that I did not need. I would never want to be out of work and collecting peanuts for income & be in constant pain for no reason, which I think Dr.'s see too often, yet it should not prevent them from doing their job. I wish you luck.