Physician who is certified by the Industrial Medical Council (IMC) and conducts medicolegal evaluations of injured workers in workers’ compensation cases for insurance companies or workers’ compensation appeals board. AMEs are agreed on by the employer and a referee (represents the employee) or appeals board at the expense of one of the parties to resolve disputed medical issues. The AME is referred by the parties in a workers’ compensation proceeding. The report of an AME is considered the evidence of both parties. The AME renders an unbiased opinion about the degree of disability of an injured worker. May be referred to as independent medical evaluator (IME) or qualified medical evaluator (QME).

Legal document signed by two or more individuals that contains specific mutual understandings.

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A legal contract.