If youâre in a personal injury case long enough, someone will eventually say the words âDefense Medical Examâ like itâs no big deal. It is a big deal. Itâs also not what it sounds like.
A Defense Medical Exam, often called a DME or IME, is not about diagnosing you, treating you, or helping you heal. Itâs an exam requested by the defense or insurance company, conducted by a doctor who is paid to evaluate you through their lens. That doesnât automatically make it unfair, but it does mean you need to walk in prepared, not naive.
Hereâs how to get through it without sabotaging your case or your sanity.
Understand the Real Purpose Before You Walk In đ€
The defense doctor is not there to âfind the truthâ in a neutral way. Their job is to assess whether your injuries can be minimized, questioned, re-framed, or disconnected from the accident. That doesnât mean theyâll lie, but it does mean their focus is narrow.
This mindset shift matters. If you expect warmth, validation, or empathy, youâll likely leave frustrated or angry. If you expect a clinical, skeptical, checkbox-driven interaction, youâll be less rattled when thatâs exactly what you get.
The exam is evidence collection, not care.
Say Whatâs True, Not What Sounds Impressive đ
One of the biggest mistakes people make in DMEs is exaggeration, not because theyâre dishonest, but because theyâre trying to be understood.
Stick to facts. Stick to patterns. Stick to what you experience on your worst days and your average days.
Avoid absolutes unless they are truly accurate. Saying âI canât do anythingâ when you can do some things, just carefully and painfully, gives the defense an opening. Precision protects you better than drama ever will.
Do Not Volunteer Extra Information đ«
Answer the question that is asked. Then stop.
You are not required to fill silence. You are not required to justify your pain. You are not required to explain your entire medical history unless itâs directly relevant and asked.
Overexplaining is how innocent statements get twisted later. This isnât the time for storytelling or emotional processing. Save that for your treating doctors and your attorney.
Expect Casual Comments That Are Actually Strategic đ
Defense doctors sometimes make offhand remarks like:
âYou seem to be moving fine today.â
âYou donât look like youâre in that much pain.â
âA lot of people your age have these findings.â
These arenât friendly observations. Theyâre probes.
You donât need to argue, correct, or react emotionally. Just respond calmly and accurately. Pain fluctuates. Adrenaline exists. Imaging doesnât always equal symptoms. You donât need to educate them, just donât let casual comments bait you into defensiveness.
Your Body Language Matters More Than You Think đ
This isnât about acting injured or exaggerating limitations. Itâs about being consistent.
If you tell the doctor bending hurts, donât twist around easily five minutes later. If you need a moment to stand or sit, take it. If something causes pain, donât push through it to appear cooperative.
There is a difference between being respectful and performing wellness. You donât owe anyone a convincing performance of strength.
You Are Allowed to Say âI Donât Knowâ or âI Donât Recallâ đ€
Memory gaps are normal, especially when youâre dealing with injury, stress, medications, or trauma.
Guessing to be helpful can backfire. If you donât remember exact dates, measurements, or timelines, say so. Consistency and honesty matter far more than precision youâre not confident in.
Expect the Report to Feel Minimizing đŁ
This part matters emotionally. Many people leave a DME feeling invalidated, dismissed, or even angry. That reaction doesnât mean you did anything wrong. It means the process is designed to reduce liability, not affirm your experience.
Your treating doctors, imaging, records, and documented complaints carry far more weight over time than a single defense exam. One report does not define your case.
Prepare, Then Detach đ«·
Go in prepared. Know your injury history. Know your current limitations. Then, once itâs over, mentally step back.
Ruminating over every question or comment wonât change the outcome and will only drain you. Your attorney knows how DMEs work and how to address them if needed.
Final Thought
A Defense Medical Exam is not a test of your worth, your honesty, or your pain tolerance. Itâs a procedural step in a system that wasnât built for comfort.
You donât need to âwinâ the exam. You just need to get through it intact, consistent, and grounded.
Pro Tip:
Be truthful, be measured, and be boring. The calmer and more straightforward you are, the harder it is for anyone to spin your experience into something it isnât.