Independent Psychological Examinations (IMEs)
Objective psychological evaluations for Indiana attorneys, insurers, and employers when a person's mental or emotional condition is in question
When a claim involves emotional distress, psychological injury, or a person's capacity to work, the decision-makers need an assessment that is independent of both treatment and advocacy. An independent psychological examination provides that: a thorough, evidence-based evaluation by a psychologist who is not the person's treating provider.
Dr. David Lombard, PhD, is a licensed Indiana psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical and forensic experience. He conducts independent psychological examinations in personal injury, workers' compensation, disability, and fitness-for-duty matters.
The people being examined are often in pain, uncertain, and worried about what comes next. Dr. Lombard treats every examinee with courtesy and respect, while giving those who requested the examination an honest and balanced account of what he finds.
Types of Examinations
Personal injury and emotional damages. Evaluation of claimed psychological injury, such as posttraumatic stress, depression, or anxiety, following an accident, assault, or other incident, including whether and how the event contributed to current symptoms.
Workers' compensation. Assessment of psychological conditions claimed to arise from a workplace injury or event, current functioning, and treatment needs.
Disability claims. Evaluation of psychological impairment and its effect on the capacity to work, for long-term disability insurers, employers, or counsel.
Fitness for duty. Evaluation of whether an employee can safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the job, including for public safety employers such as police and fire departments.
Record reviews. When an in-person examination is not possible or not needed, a review of treatment and prior evaluation records to assess whether the documented conclusions are well supported.
The Legal and Professional Framework
Court-ordered examinations. In Indiana civil cases, when a party's mental or physical condition is in controversy, the court may order the party to submit to a mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner. The order specifies the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination (Indiana Trial Rule 35).
The examiner's report. On request, the party who arranged the examination must provide the examined person with a detailed written report, including findings, test results, diagnoses, and conclusions. Requesting that report can waive privilege over other examinations of the same condition (Indiana Trial Rule 35(B)). Reports are written with that audience in mind.
Examinations by agreement. Many IMEs are arranged by agreement between counsel, or requested by an insurer or employer under a policy or contract, rather than by court order. The same professional standards apply either way.
Fitness-for-duty evaluations. For public safety employers, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Police Psychological Services Section publishes guidelines covering when a fitness-for-duty evaluation is appropriate, examiner qualifications, informed consent, the evaluation process, and the report (IACP FFDE Guidelines).
What the Examination Addresses
Each examination is built around the referral questions. Common questions include:
Does the person have a diagnosable mental health condition, and what is its severity?
Was the condition caused or worsened by the incident in question, did it exist beforehand, or both?
How does the condition affect the person's daily functioning and capacity to work?
Is the current treatment appropriate, and what further treatment is reasonable?
Has the person reached maximum improvement, and what is the likely course going forward?
For fitness for duty: can the employee safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position, and if not, what would support a return to duty?
Because the stakes for the examinee are real, every examination includes a careful assessment of response style, using validated measures of symptom exaggeration and minimization. That protects the integrity of the findings in both directions: genuine injuries are documented clearly, and unsupported claims are identified fairly.
The Examination Process
Referral and scope. The referring party provides the referral questions, any court order or agreement, and the relevant records. A conflict check is completed before scheduling.
Records review. Medical, mental health, employment, and claim records are reviewed before the examinee is seen.
Notice to the examinee. At the start, the examinee is told who requested the examination, that no treatment relationship is being formed, the limits of confidentiality, and who will receive the report.
Clinical interview. A thorough history covering the incident or work concerns, symptoms, prior mental health history, and current functioning.
Psychological testing. Standardized, validated measures of personality, symptoms, cognition where relevant, and response style.
Written report. A clear report answering each referral question, with the data and reasoning behind each opinion and any limitations stated plainly.
Deposition or testimony, if needed. Dr. Lombard is available for deposition and trial testimony.
Standards and Independence
Every examination follows the APA Ethics Code and the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, and, for public safety fitness-for-duty work, the IACP FFDE Guidelines.
An "independent" examination has to be independent in fact. Dr. Lombard accepts referrals from plaintiffs and defendants, claimants and insurers, employees and employers, and his findings do not depend on who is paying. He does not examine anyone he has treated, and he does not provide treatment to anyone he has examined.
For Attorneys, Insurers, and Employers
Dr. Lombard accepts IME referrals throughout Indiana, with a particular focus on northeast Indiana. When requesting an examination, it helps to provide:
The referral questions you need answered.
Any court order, agreement, or policy provision governing the examination.
Relevant medical, mental health, and employment records.
Deadlines for the report, deposition, or trial.
Request an Examination → Contact Us
Behind every claim is a person whose life has changed in some way. A fair, careful examination serves that person and everyone who must decide what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a psychologist conduct an "independent medical examination"? Yes. Indiana Trial Rule 35 allows a court to order a mental examination by a suitably licensed or certified examiner, which includes a licensed psychologist. When the question concerns mental or emotional condition, a psychologist's training in standardized testing and response-style assessment is often exactly what the case requires.
Is the examinee a patient? No. An independent examination does not create a treatment relationship. The examinee is told this at the start, along with who requested the examination and who will receive the report.
Do you work for both sides? Yes. Dr. Lombard accepts referrals from plaintiffs and defendants, claimants and insurers, and employees and employers.
Can the examinee bring someone or record the examination? This depends on the court order or the parties' agreement. Observers and recordings can affect the validity of standardized psychological testing, so any conditions should be settled before the examination.
How long does the examination take, and when is the report ready? Most examinations take 3 to 6 hours, including testing. Reports are typically completed within 1 to 2 weeks of the examination.
How are fees structured? Dr. Lombard bills examinations at a $300 hourly rate. Please contact our office for rates regarding record review cases, cancellation and no-show policy, and deposition and trial rates.
References
Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure, Rule 35 (physical and mental examination of persons). rules.incourts.gov
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Psychological Services Section. Psychological fitness-for-duty evaluation guidelines. theiacp.org
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. apa.org/ethics/code
American Psychological Association. (2013). Specialty guidelines for forensic psychology. apa.org/practice/guidelines/forensic-psychology