Agreed Medical Examiner (AME)
Definition
An Agreed Medical Examiner (AME) is a physician selected jointly by both parties in a legal dispute to provide an independent medical evaluation of an injured person’s condition. Unlike a defense medical examiner chosen solely by the insurance company or a treating physician aligned with the plaintiff, an AME is mutually agreed upon to provide an objective assessment that both sides have committed to accept or at least seriously consider.
How It’s Used in Personal Injury Cases
AMEs are most commonly used in workers’ compensation cases but can also appear in personal injury litigation when parties agree to resolve medical disputes through a neutral examiner. The AME examines the injured person, reviews medical records, and issues a report addressing issues like causation (whether the injury is related to the accident), the extent of impairment, work restrictions, and future medical needs. Because both parties selected the examiner, the AME’s findings typically carry significant weight in settlement negotiations or at trial.
Practical Example
In a contested workers’ compensation claim, the injured worker’s treating physician says they have a 15% permanent impairment and cannot return to their previous job. The insurance company’s independent medical examiner says the impairment is only 5% and the worker can return to full duty. Rather than litigate this dispute, the parties agree to select an AME—a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with no prior relationship to either party—to perform an independent evaluation and determine the true extent of impairment and work capacity.
Why It Matters to Your Case
An AME’s opinion can be decisive because both parties have agreed to the examiner’s selection, making it difficult to later attack the examiner’s credibility or objectivity. If you agree to an AME, choose carefully—look for a physician with excellent credentials, a reputation for fairness, experience testifying for both plaintiffs and defendants, and no financial dependence on insurance company referrals. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment is frequently used by AMEs to assess disability ratings.
Key Takeaway
An Agreed Medical Examiner is a neutral physician selected by both parties to resolve medical disputes. Because both sides have agreed to the selection, the AME’s findings typically carry substantial weight in determining case outcomes.