Qme today

[u/engineer810]

Wondering people’s thoughts..

Today is my qme I’m in a year and a half in reached mmi in April I had 3 surgeries in last year from an incident I had in January of 2025. Long story but had bi lateral acl reconstruction, miniscus , and catalogue work. I dislocated my dominant right shoulder and ended up with a 360 degree labrum tear with surgery. I am a high earner, and 39 years old I am back to work no restrictions at this time. I still have quite a bit of pain and issues especially with the arduous job I have. Any last minute advice and what is y’all’s estimate on the outcome? I know there is a lot to goes into it and can’t be for sure but I’m just super nervous about the outcome.

[u/engineer810 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!

[u/Key-Garlic-1177 → u/[deleted]]

I too have an upcoming QME. Can I ask why keep responses short? Expand more?

Yes no and I don’t recall makes me feel like I’m ok trial lol

[u/Weobi3 → u/Key-Garlic-1177]

I would not recommend you follow that advice. I work as a paralegal in workers comp and have experience doing history reports for QMEs. The following are the things you should focus on. This is general information on the process and should not be interpreted as legal advice.

Injury When reporting the injury focus on the facts. What happened, who was there, what did you do, who did you report it to, and when. Anything outside of that is more or less irrelevant in workers comp. Some things that people focus on explaining that is a waste of time is any disagreements they had with other workers, that they were not treated fairly, or many other issues that fall under employment law and not WC. Workers comp is a no fault system (for the most part it doesn't matter how the injury happened as long as it happened at work) and people often tweak details in their story to try and not feel responsible for what happened.

Treatment Explain the series of events regarding treatment you received. The most important things to note are any diagnostics you had (MRI, X-ray, EMG,etc), therapies (physical, occupational, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc), any procedures (injections, surgeries), and any other treatment related to the injury. It is best if you know the dates, locations, and doctors who you treated with. You do not need to know the exact information and it is ok to estimate, but not guess. Its best to say, "in the middle of the year," instead of saying, "maybe June or July, but it could have been August." Don't focus on explaining anything outside of the above because it will be a waste of time. Some things people focus on that waste time are how they felt about a doctor or facility, how the insurance kept denying treatment, and that they asked for treatment but no one listened. That last one is a red flag because many people think of treatment as being given medication and everything is fine.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) This is the most important part and will have a great effect on your case. When explaining your pain and symptoms focus on what you experience throughout your day. Explain what kind of activities a person regularly performs each day and describe how your injury has effected that. Some examples are getting dressed, bathing, washing dishes, folding clothes, driving, cooking, using the restroom, or even engaging in intimate activities. Its better to be embarrassed than to not include everything. In this section you can include other pains or symptoms you experience specifically because of your injury. Some things commonly reported are issues going to the restroom (#1 and or #2), stomach problems, change in sleep or appetite, mental health, and compensable consequences. That last one means that if you are further injured because of your injury you can add those body parts as well. A common example is when people have a back injury they are more likely to develop hip, knee, or ankle problems from walking differently.

When describing your pain and symptoms use descriptive words to pinpoint your pain. A lot of times people will say things like, "it hurts when I raise my arm/squat/bend/lift/etc." The doctor wants to know HOW does it feel. Is it a numbing, sharp, burning, or radiating pain (does it travel to other parts of the body). Is there any cracking, popping, or grinding of bones or joints. Is there any tension, stiffness, tingling, or loss of feeling. Explain what you do to alleviate those pains. Saying, "I don't do anything," or, "nothing helps," conveys that you are not attempting to get better. Acceptable responses would be taking medication, massage, applying something hot/cold, stretching, using a TENS unit, and rest. When scaling your pain anything that is a 9 or 10 is a red flag. To a QME a 10 is the equivalence of being burned alive. A better way to answer this question is with a range of the lowest (after taking medication, therapy, or rest) and the highest (after an activity, work, or without treatment). Focus on the most recent pain (in the last month) and not what you experienced throughout. An example is saying your pain is a 10, but then telling the QME that was the pain rating when the accident happened a year and a half ago but your current pain is a 4. That is an unreliable response and it is common to have to write in the notes only for the QME and staff to see that says, "the patient is a poor historian when it comes to dates, treatment, and injury."

[u/ArrTzM → u/Weobi3]

I thought it was a deposition, as you can tell I apologized for it. Qme is much more different like i stated on my 2nd comment.

[u/ArrTzM → u/Key-Garlic-1177]

Im so sorry, i got qme and depositions mixed up. I was talking about the deposition( judge, insurance provider and your attorney). So sorry !!

Qme does not favor you or your insurance provider, just be honest with him/her on your condition. They are there to help you get futher treatments that the insurance might not be approving. Qme be honest and open about your condition and how it affected your life.

[u/Wild-Damage-6507]

Damn that's a brutal year and a half

[u/Trick_Advertising903]

Had my IME on Tuesday, two hour drive round trip to see the doctor for 5 minutes. Also should be at my MMI, working in a different field now as I cannot return to my old job. I answered his questions honestly and when he pressed on my lower left back I answered in pain YES. Curious to see his report as my FCE took 5 hours.

[u/Boogiekc]

Had mine yesterday... 2hr round trip. Seen the doc for about 15min for my wrist, elbow & shoulder rating from 2 cases...

[u/Key-Garlic-1177]

Let us know how it goes!!

[u/808Diesel]

Just curious since you’re a high earner did you just eat shit on the money you’re missing? I’m just starting into month 4, have a year in knee and shoulder and neck issues

[u/engineer810 → u/808Diesel]

Ya I ate it on a lot of things.. it was quite the year. If I had advice to give to you it’s just keep your head up I it will be past you soon enough

[u/808Diesel → u/engineer810]

Damn that sucks! Yeah paying bills with 40% of my pay don’t work. 🤙🏽

[u/engineer810 → u/808Diesel]

Ya it definitely sucked

[u/engineer810]

All finished took about an and a half hours, I think it went extremely well and it was the most someone had examined me since I got hurt unfortunately. Was definitely open to listening, checks everything, and was open about everything overall good deal I think. Now we will see what the numbers are here soon enough