Accident Claim Lawyers
MedicalUpdated September 2026

Independent medical opinion

In plain English: an independent medical opinion is an assessment of your injury from a doctor who isn't treating you. It might come from reviewing your records, examining you, or both, and it's usually requested to settle a medical question in a claim.

Why a claim needs one

Your GP or family doctor is focused on getting you better, not on writing legal reports. Their notes are valuable, but they rarely answer the questions an insurer or court asks: Did the accident cause this? Would it have happened anyway? Will it get better? What will future treatment cost? An independent opinion is written to answer exactly those points.

Who asks for it

  • You or your lawyer. To support the claim, answer a dispute, or respond to a low rating.
  • The insurer. Often as an independent medical examination (IME), or as a paper review of your records without seeing you.
  • Both sides jointly. In England and Wales, lower-value cases often use a single joint expert under the court rules, whose duty is to the court rather than to either party.

Record review versus examination

A paper review is cheaper and faster, but the doctor never sees you. That can matter for pain, nerve injuries or anything where the examination findings count. If the insurer relies on a record review to deny treatment, ask whether an in-person assessment was ever done and whether your treating doctor was consulted.

What makes an opinion carry weight

Judges and adjusters look for a specialist in the right field, a full set of records, a clear account of your history in your own words, and reasoning that deals with the other side's arguments rather than ignoring them. An opinion that simply agrees with whoever paid for it is easy to attack.

Example

The insurer's reviewer says your knee problem is age-related wear. Your lawyer gets an orthopaedic surgeon to review your old records, which show no knee complaints in ten years, and the post-accident MRI showing a fresh tear. The new opinion explains why the accident, not age, is the cause.

Before you attend any assessment

  1. Ask who the doctor is and who instructed them.
  2. Bring a list of your symptoms, treatment and medications.
  3. Be accurate about past injuries. Hiding them damages trust fast.
  4. Ask for a copy of the report, or ask your lawyer to get it.

Next: expert witness · causation · medical records.

Related terms

PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy, called physical therapy in the US, uses exercise, manual therapy and education to restore movement and strength after an injury.Post-Concussion SyndromePost-concussion syndrome is when concussion symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, poor concentration, fatigue or irritability, last much longer than the usual recovery period of a few weeks.PrognosisA prognosis is a doctor's professional prediction of how your injury will develop: how long recovery should take, whether you'll recover fully, and what problems might remain or appear later.Range of MotionRange of motion is how far a joint or part of your spine can move, usually measured in degrees.

General information, not legal or medical advice. Rules differ between US states, the UK and Canadian provinces, so check the law where your accident happened. How we write and check · Legal disclaimer