Maritime and Jones Act Information

Hey Rick,

Okay, so now let’s go over what you can expect during the compulsary medical exam. The physical examination will probably be pretty similar to other physical exams you’ve had in the past, although it depends on your injuries. The usual procedures include:

• blood pressure check
• height and weight
• checking your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
• testing reflexes

Other procedures in the compulsary medical exam may include a general observation of what is considered normal or restriced movements while you walk, sit, stand up, and take off or put on clothing. (This is usual very subtle and is often done without the patient even being aware of it - and to some extent, it’s going to be subjective, based on what information the insurance company has already given the doctor about you.)

The doctor may also look at xrays, EEGs, EKGs and the results of other tests done at an earlier time. In your case, he may also want to check for the range of motion on your arm and other limbs. There are two types of range of motion tests. The first, called passive range of motion is where the doctor will move your arms to see how the movement has been affected by the accident. The second type, called active range of motion, is where he’ll ask you to move them. (Note: Either way, if something hurts when it’s moving, make sure you tell the doctor - and if it really hurts, then stop moving it! Don’t try to show how brave you are or how high of a pain threshold you’ve got. Save that for your friends and family - let them be impressed. At your compulsary medical exam, the doctor is only going to note down that you could move your arms, not that you were obviously suffering while you did so.)

The doctor may also order other tests - more xrays, ECGs (Electrocardiogram - used to detect heart problems such as heart disease, arrhythmia, murmurs, etc.), EEGs (Electroencephalograms - to test brain activity), psychological tests, blood tests,MRIs (a kind of CAT Scan). So again, before you go to the compulsary medical examination, make sure that you check with your maritime law attorney to see what sort of tests to expect and if you should refuse to undergo any tests. Also ask your attorney whether you’re required to allow x-rays, blood tests, etc.

Now something else I want to mention - as surreal as it’s going to sound - the actual compulsary medical exam begins from the moment you step outside your door to head for the appointment. And it’s not going to be over until you’re back home. Why? Because you’ll be observed from the moment you reach the clinic for your compulsary medical exam - someone could be watching as you drive into the parking lot, climb in or out of your car, walk towards or away from the building, etc. And sadly, it’s not unheard of for the insurance company to have someone filming you during this time! (Can you believe that nonsense?) Again, you’re not a human being, you’re a cost of doing business expense. So just pay attention to what’s going on around you.

After your compulsary medical exam, make sure you contact your maritime law attorney, to let him know how the exam went.

I hope this information proves useful to you. Good luck with it. Hey, by the way, send me an email when it’s over - I’d be interested in knowing your impressions of the compulsary medical exam process.