Medical Legal Services

Jeff Buchalter, MD

Respected   ♦   Objective   ♦   Definitive

 

Dr Jeff Buchalter

INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINATION / COMPULSORY MEDICIAL EXAMINATION

An Independent Medical Examination “IME” or often times called a Compulsory Medical Examination “CME” is an examination of a person’s injury or clinical problem by a doctor that has no previous connection with the individual. Independent medical exams are usually related to work or other accident associated injuries where causation and obligation are at issue. Occasionally a third-party analysis could be needed for worker’s payment or insurance policy purposes.

When an injury case of an employee is in inquiry of legitimacy, often times an independent medical examination (IME) will be requested by a company or insurance policy provider. The medical professional executing the evaluation is accountable for conducting a comprehensive analysis, and also ultimately providing understanding into the level to which the injury concerned is job or accident-related. An IME evaluation of an individual’s injury MUST be Comprehensive, Objective, as well as Unbiased by a Qualified doctor in order to offer an honest as well as expert analysis.

INDEPENDENT SECOND LEGAL OPINION

An Independent Second-Legal opinion with treatment options is performed in an identical fashion to an IME/CME with a focus on Diagnosis and Treatment options available to the injured person.

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL LEGAL SERVICES:

MEDICAL RECORDS REVIEW AND REPORT:

A Medical records review with report is often times requested to identify medical necessity and appropriateness of medical services provided to a claimant involved in an injury related liability claim. Additionally, objective conclusions related to maximum medical improvement, permanent partial impairment rating and work restrictions and limitations may be able to be concluded within a reasonable degree of medical certainty.

TELEPHONE, ZOOM, AND IN-PERSON CONFERENCES:

Often times there is additional information that needs to be discussed related to a specific medical-legal case. These are easily scheduled and will be documented within a medical-legal summary.

EXPERT DEPOSITION TESTIMONY AND LIVE TESTIMONY:

Due to the complexity of many Medical-Legal Injury cases, expert medical testimony is often required to bring resolution to any ongoing unresolved medical and legal issues related to such claims.

MEDICAL-LEGAL PHYSICAL CAPACITY EVALUATIONS AS PART OF IME/CME:

Unfortunately, as a result of injury-related trauma, claimants may have reduced residual work capacity. This can become a very important legal and financial issue especially as it related to the Workers Compensation System. As part of a medical-legal IME/CME evaluation process these, issues can be addressed with recommendations made.

INDEPENDENT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DEFENSE CASE REVIEWS:

As the practice of Medicine can have unintended injury related consequences despite the best intentions, medical-legal questions can and do arise related to the causation and liability related to such outcomes. An independent comprehensive case review can be an invaluable resource in bringing resolution to these oftentimes complex and emotional circumstances.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

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Injury-related Headaches

  • Cervicogenic Facet Headaches
  • Post Traumatic Headaches
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Injury-related Spine Pain

  • Neck
  • Thoracic
  • Low Back
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • CRPS
  • RSD
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Musculoskeletal injuries

  • Myofascial
  • Shoulder
  • Hip
  • Knee

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Jeff Buchalter, MD

Associate Professor, UCF College of Medicine

Associate Clinical Professor, FSU College of Medicine

Certified Independent Medical Examiner and Expert Medical Advisor