When Doctors Disagree: How It Impacts Your Injury Settlement

What You Need to Know About Conflicting Medical Opinions

After an accident, getting medical care often feels straightforward. You visit your doctor, follow their advice, and trust that their diagnosis will support your recovery. But sometimes, another doctor steps in with a very different opinion and suddenly, your personal injury case becomes much more complicated.

Conflicting medical opinions are common in New York State injury claims, especially when insurance companies introduce their own evaluators. These discrepancies don’t just confuse your treatment plan, they can also limit or delay your financial recovery.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys work with clients across New York, from Rochester to Buffalo and beyond, to manage these situations with clarity. When medical reports disagree, we bring focus back to the facts and help build a case that reflects the truth of your injury.

Why Medical Disagreements Matter in Personal Injury Claims

Your claim is only as strong as your medical documentation. Everything from diagnosis and treatment to long-term outcomes plays a role in how much compensation you may be eligible to receive. When physicians offer opposing views, that foundation can crack.

In New York cases, disagreements often occur between your treating physician and an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) assigned by the insurance company. These conflicts give insurers ammunition to:

• Argue your condition isn’t related to the accident
• Claim your treatment is unnecessary or excessive
• Minimize the seriousness of your symptoms

The insurance adjuster’s job is to reduce payouts. That’s why your legal team must be ready to challenge questionable findings and protect the evidence of your injury.

Types of Disagreements That Can Influence Your Case

Medical disagreements take many forms, but the ones that most often affect your legal outcome fall into five categories:

• Diagnosis: What is actually wrong? A torn tendon versus a strain makes a big difference in value.
• Causation: Was the injury caused by the accident or a preexisting condition?
• Treatment plan: Is continued therapy reasonable or excessive?
• Severity: Are your symptoms temporary or permanently disabling?
• Work capacity: Are you cleared to return to work or limited in what you can do?

In New York personal injury cases, we’ve seen individuals injured on roads like Route 104 or Interstate 490 face conflicting reports between their personal physicians and IMEs selected by the insurer. These reports can delay settlements or reduce the final amount offered.

IMEs vs. Treating Doctors: A Common Source of Conflict

Insurance companies often request Independent Medical Exams to reassess your condition. These doctors are hired by the insurer, not by you, and often spend very little time with the patient.

IME doctors typically:

• Conduct short physical evaluations
• Focus on limiting ongoing treatment
• Suggest quick return to work
• Produce reports that downplay your symptoms

For example, your orthopedic provider in Rochester may recommend another six weeks of therapy for shoulder pain. But the IME might declare you “recovered” based on a 15-minute exam. This discrepancy can lead to denied care and reduced settlement offers.

How Conflicting Opinions Impact Settlement Offers

Once there’s disagreement between medical providers, insurance companies tend to exploit it. The results often include:

• Reduced compensation
• Denials for future medical expenses
• Delays in claim processing
• Increased pressure to settle early

In New York State, insurers frequently cite the IME report when offering lowball settlements. That’s why your attorney must counter those conclusions with consistent documentation and, when needed, additional expert testimony.

How Courts Handle Conflicting Medical Reports

When a personal injury case proceeds to trial in New York civil court, a judge or jury must decide which medical opinion is more credible. The court looks at more than just the doctor’s resume.

Credibility often hinges on:

• The length and depth of the provider-patient relationship
• The use of imaging, test results, and diagnostic methods
• Consistency with other medical records
• The clarity and thoroughness of the doctor’s testimony

A treating provider from UR Medicine who has seen you regularly and provided detailed notes is usually seen as more credible than a one-time IME report prepared at the insurer’s request.

What You Can Do When Doctors Disagree

If two doctors reach different conclusions, your role is to help your attorney show the full picture. Here are practical steps to follow:

• Ask for written reports from both physicians
• Share your full medical history with each provider
• Keep a daily record of symptoms, limitations, and pain
• Continue following your treatment plan consistently
• Don’t stop care based on an IME opinion alone
• Discuss getting a second opinion from a neutral provider

Even if your case includes conflicting medical opinions, your behavior and consistency in care often speak volumes in settlement discussions or in court.

How Attorneys Help Resolve Medical Conflicts

Your legal team is essential when doctors disagree. At Horn Wright, LLP, we review every document and timeline to understand how and where the conflict arose.

We take steps to:

• Highlight flaws in the IME’s findings
• Coordinate with your treating providers for follow-up documentation
• Request clarification letters from trusted medical specialists
• Secure second opinions from respected local providers
• Cross-examine defense experts when necessary

We’ve worked with patients across Monroe County and Western New York to show that rushed IME reports don’t reflect real-life injuries. With solid preparation, we make sure your provider’s voice carries more weight.

Final Takeaway: Medical Conflicts Are Common, But Manageable

Conflicting medical reports may complicate your case, but they don’t have to derail it. These situations are routine in New York State injury claims, and when addressed early and strategically, they can be resolved without sacrificing your settlement.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we guide injury victims through these challenges with care and confidence. Whether you’re recovering from a crash, fall, or work-related injury, our team will work to ensure that the facts and your voice are heard.

If your case has been affected by opposing medical opinions, contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s get the facts straight and move your claim forward.