Independent Medical Exam (IME) Forensic Psychologist

in Chicago, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale

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Areas of Expertise

Independent Medical Examination (IME) Psychological Evaluation

Psycholegal Assessments, Inc., specializes in conducting comprehensive Independent Medical Examination (IME) psychological evaluations to assist insurance companies and attorneys in obtaining objective assessments of an individual's mental health status. Our evaluations are designed to inform decisions in cases involving workers' compensation, personal injury claims, disability determinations, as well as other legal contexts.​

What Is an Independent Medical Examination (IME) Psychological Evaluation?

An Independent Medical Examination psychological evaluation is a one-time, non-treatment assessment conducted by a forensic psychologist. Unlike clinical consultations, Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) are performed by professionals who have no prior relationship with the examinee, ensuring an unbiased and impartial evaluation. These assessments are crucial in determining the presence and extent of psychological conditions and their impact on an individual's functional abilities.

👉 Contact Us Today.  Call us at 630-903-9193, 404-504-7039, or 954-332-3513.  Contact us by email at drgaskell@gmail.com.

Applications of IME Psychological Evaluations

Independent Medical Examination psychological evaluations are utilized in various scenarios, including:​

  • Workers' Compensation Claims: Assessing psychological injuries related to workplace accidents and incidents.
  • Personal Injury Cases: Evaluating mental health consequences following motor vehicle accidents, other accidents, sexual harassment; employer misconduct; civil rights issues, or traumatic events.

IMEs may be conducted to determine the cause, extent and treatment of a work-related or other injury where liability is at issue; whether an individual has reached maximum benefit from treatment; and whether any permanent impairment remains after treatment.

Since an Independent Medical Exam (IME) is usually requested in connection withIndependent Medical Examinations IME Psychological Evaluations - Psycholegal Assessments, Inc. traumatic injury and litigation, the question also arises regarding whether there is any indication of malingering. Independent Medical Exam (IME).  Statements regarding injuries are not taken at face value. Regardless of the referral source, the individual will be examined for signs of the symptoms reported and symptom validity testing will be conducted in all cases. The completion of an Independent Medical Exam (IME) requires diligence and a systematic approach to evaluation of historical information, the individual's claims, as well as a comprehensive examination using objective psychological testing.

👉 Contact Us Today.  Call us at 630-903-9193, 404-504-7039, or 954-332-3513.  Contact us by email at drgaskell@gmail.com.

An Independent Medical Exam (IME) involves:

  • Review of relevant medical and psychological treatment records to assess pre-injury (physical or psychological) and post-injury functioning and examining preexisting conditions.
  • Evaluating the course of the injury, illness, or mental disorders
  • Relevant background information: personal history, education and employment history, mental health history, substance abuse history, social history, and medical history
  • Clinical interview with individual. The individual's report will be compared to their prior reports and other documentation in the record.
  • Collateral records (and Collateral interviews, as needed) regarding the individual's pre-injury and post-injury functioning
  • Distinguish subjective complaints from objective findings
  • Psychological testing involving evaluation of general psychopathology, personality factors, intellectual functioning and trauma
  • Symptom validity assessment and the psychological assessment of exaggeration, malingering and deception
  • Prognosis and treatment recommendations, as applicable.
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Why Choose Psycholegal Assessments, Inc.?

  • Expertise: Dr. Steven Gaskell is a forensic psychologist with extensive experience in conducting Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) psychological evaluations.

  • Objectivity: Committed to providing impartial evaluations that withstand legal scrutiny.

  • Timeliness: Delivering comprehensive reports within agreed-upon timeframes.

  • Accessibility: Offering services across Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and via secure telehealth platforms to up to 42 states.​

Schedule an Evaluation

To request an Independent Medical Examination psychological evaluation, please contact us:​

Email us at drgaskell@gmail.com or visit our Contact Page to submit an inquiry.

Click here for all other types of expert Forensic Psychological Evaluations.

Areas of Expertise

Competency to Stand Trial Psychological Evaluation - Psycholegal Assessments, Inc.
Competency to Stand Trial
Competency to Stand Trial, also known as Fitness to Stand Trial, is imperative for ensuring that a defendant can comprehend the nature and objective of the legal actions against them and actively cooperate with their defense attorney.
Sex Offender Psychosexual Evaluation
Psychosexual Evaluations
Psychosexual evaluations of sex offenders incorporate a comprehensive risk assessment utilizing actuarial instruments and other research-supported risk and protective factors. Notably, recidivism rates vary among sex offenders, with a significant portion never being re-convicted post-initial conviction.
Criminal Responsibility Psychological Evaluations - Psycholegal Assessments, Inc.
Criminal Responsibility
Criminal responsibility or sanity evaluations are critical when a defendant’s mental state at the time of committing an offense is in question. These evaluations can be initiated by the court, defense, or prosecution to establish a clear understanding of the defendant’s mental condition during the crime.
Independent Medical Examination Psychological Evaluation - Psycholegal Assessments, Inc.
Independent Medical Exam
An Independent Medical Exam is conducted by a psychologist without prior involvement in the individual’s care, ensuring an objective assessment without a therapist-patient relationship.
Miran
Miranda Rights & Confession Issues
The role of confessions and self-incriminating statements in criminal cases cannot be understated. Confessions are produced in about 50% of criminal cases, where suspects who provide self-incriminating statements are 26% more likely to be found guilty and convicted (Leo, 2006).
Malingering and Deception
Malingering and Deception
In the legal realm, psychological assessments can be compromised by malingering or deception, with individuals potentially presenting themselves dishonestly during interviews and tests to influence the outcome.
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Mitigating Factors
Mitigating factors consider the defendant’s mental state and historical mental disorders or psychological trauma, even when these do not qualify for an insanity defense, to argue for a reduced sentence. The contributions of evaluations and reports by experts like Dr. Steven Gaskell are vital for presenting such evidence.
Guilty But Mentally Ill Psychological Evaluation - Psycholegal Assessments, Inc.
Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI)
Introduced first in Michigan in 1975, the GBMI verdict was proposed to diminish the success rate of insanity defenses, offering a compromise verdict that, while seemingly compassionate, subjects the defendant to the same penalties as a guilty verdict.

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