By The Perazzo Law Firm – Personal Injury Attorneys serving Florida, Georgia & Texas Residents and Families

Introduction to CMEs in Personal Injury Law

After a car accident or slip-and-fall injury, you may hear the term CME, short for Compulsory Medical Examination. This is a court-ordered or insurance-requested evaluation that injured victims must often attend as part of their personal injury claim. While it sounds routine, CMEs can significantly affect the outcome of your case. At The Perazzo Law Firm, our Miami personal injury accident attorneys explain that these exams are not for your benefit; they’re designed to protect the insurance company’s interests. Understanding your rights before attending a CME is crucial to avoid jeopardizing your compensation.

What Is a Compulsory Medical Exam (CME)?

A Compulsory Medical Exam is a medical evaluation ordered by the defense or their insurance company to assess your claimed injuries. It’s important to understand that this exam is not about diagnosing or treating your condition, its main goal is to evaluate and potentially challenge the validity or extent of your injuries. In most personal injury cases, including car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and slip-and-fall claims, the insurance company’s lawyers select the physician who performs the CME, meaning the examiner is not your independent doctor.

Why Insurance Companies Request CMEs

Insurance carriers frequently request CMEs as part of their strategy to reduce, deny, or discredit claims. The doctors who conduct these exams are often hired and compensated by the defense, and their reports may emphasize inconsistencies, pre-existing conditions, or minimal injury findings. While CME doctors are technically third-party evaluators, their conclusions often align with the insurer’s objective, minimizing payouts. These tactics are common in auto accident claims, workplace injuries, and slip or trip-and-fall cases across Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

To protect your case and ensure fairness during a Compulsory Medical Exam (CME), preparation and awareness are key.

Schedule an appointment with your own physician on the same day for an objective medical comparison. This allows your treating doctor to record an independent assessment that can counter any misleading conclusions in the CME report. Having two professional opinions from the same day can be crucial evidence when your attorney challenges the defense’s claims.

Bring someone with you (if allowed) and consider recording the exam, but always confirm it’s legal in your state before doing so. Having a witness or recording adds an extra layer of accountability, helping to ensure the CME doctor remains professional and accurate in their observations.

Be honest and concise when answering questions. Avoid exaggeration, speculation, or volunteering unnecessary details. Stick to the facts about your injury, symptoms, and treatment history. Every statement you make may appear in the report, so accuracy and clarity matter.

Take careful notes about how long the exam lasts, what questions the doctor asks, and any unusual interactions. This documentation can later help your attorney refute biased or incomplete findings and demonstrate whether the exam was conducted fairly.

Lastly, remain calm and professional throughout the process. The defense may be looking for inconsistencies in your behavior or responses, so maintaining composure helps protect your credibility and strengthens your personal injury case.

What to Expect During a CME

If you are scheduled for a CME, be prepared for a brief but highly scrutinized evaluation. You do not get to choose the doctor, and there is no doctor-patient confidentiality. The examiner may observe your movements even before the evaluation begins, such as when you walk from the parking lot or sit in the waiting area. The exam may include basic physical tests, range-of-motion assessments, or imaging review. Remember: everything you say or do can be recorded in their report (see Common Medical Treatment after an Accident).

Risks of Attending Without Legal Counsel

A CME may seem harmless, but attending unprepared can severely impact your case. The insurance-hired doctor might claim your injuries are exaggerated or caused by pre-existing conditions. Without an attorney’s guidance, you may unintentionally say something that weakens your claim. The Perazzo Law Firm strongly advises against attending a CME without first consulting your accident lawyer (see Common Car Accident Injuries).

How The Perazzo Law Firm Can Help

Our Perazzo Law Firm Personal Injury attorneys Serving Florida, Georgia, and Texas residents will:

• Challenge unnecessary or biased CME requests.
• Prepare clients for what to expect and accompany them when possible.
• Cross-examine CME doctors to expose inconsistencies or bias in their reports.
• Present counter-evidence from your treating physicians to reinforce your injury claim.
  We proudly represent personal injury victims throughout Florida, Georgia, and Texas, ensuring their rights are protected at every stage.

Don’t Face a CME Alone

A Compulsory Medical Exam can make or break your personal injury case. With the right legal representation, you can ensure that the process is fair and your side of the story is heard. The Perazzo Law Firm has extensive experience handling CMEs and insurance defense tactics, helping clients maximize their recovery.

Call 888-PERAZZO or visit www.theperazzolawfirm.com
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