Sound Medical Evaluators schedules medical-legal evaluations with a growing network of physicians across many specialties, at locations throughout California. We coordinate the appointment, the records and the report so you can focus on the case.
Prefer email? admin@soundmedeval.com
Our physicians evaluate injured workers for applicants, defense counsel, employers and claims administrators. The goal is the same in every case: a clear, well-reasoned medical opinion grounded in the records and the examination, written so that judges and all parties can rely on it. We do not advocate for either side, and we do not promise outcomes.
Physicians are supported by staff who help organize records, and reports go through a quality review before they are finalized. Conclusions are tied to the medical evidence and explained in plain terms.
Appointments can often be set the same day you call, and live staff are available 8 AM to 5 PM PT to answer scheduling and case questions.
From orthopedic surgery and pain medicine to psychiatry, psychology, internal medicine and chiropractic, our physicians cover a broad range of medical-legal issues.
Some evaluators speak languages other than English. Dr. David Y. Lee, for example, conducts appointments in Korean and Spanish. Interpreter needs can be noted on every request.
Our physicians are prepared to explain and defend their findings at deposition, and our office coordinates deposition scheduling with all parties.
Evaluations and reports are prepared to meet California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) requirements, with clear communication to every party.
Panel QME evaluations for represented and unrepresented workers' compensation cases, addressing disputed medical issues such as causation, impairment, work restrictions and future medical care.
Evaluations by a physician that applicant and defense counsel have agreed on, for represented cases where both sides prefer a mutually selected evaluator.
Objective medical opinions requested by carriers, employers or attorneys for workers' compensation, personal injury and other disputes.
Physicians available to provide medical expert opinions and testimony in matters that call for an independent clinical perspective.
Need a medical expert witness? See our Expert Witness Services
Careful review and summary of medical records, including large and complex files, as part of an evaluation or as a stand-alone request where appropriate.
Supplemental reports to address new records or follow-up questions, and deposition testimony from the evaluating physician, requested through the same process.
Our growing network of physicians and evaluators includes:
Availability varies by specialty and location. Browse our physicians by specialty.
Evaluations are available at office locations throughout California. Tell us where the injured worker lives or works and the preferred area for the exam, and our scheduling team will match the request to an available physician and location.
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | Prompt scheduling. Appointments can often be set the same day you call, and staff respond to email requests promptly. |
| QME and AME reports | The evaluating physician generally has 30 days after the examination to serve the report, consistent with DWC deadlines. |
| IME reports | Typically completed within 7 to 14 days after the examination. Timing may vary with case complexity, specialty and the documentation requested. |
Timing depends on physician availability, records and the requirements of each case. Contact our office for current availability.
An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that applicant and defense attorneys agree on, so AMEs are used in represented cases. A Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is selected from a panel of three physicians issued by the DWC Medical Unit when the parties do not agree on an evaluator. QMEs are certified by the DWC Medical Unit, and both AMEs and QMEs are expected to give impartial medical opinions.
Submit the online request form, call (916) 461-9602 or email admin@soundmedeval.com. Include the evaluation type, claim number, panel number for a panel QME, the evaluating physician if known, the preferred exam location and any interpreter needs. You can upload the panel letter and demographics with the form.
Records should be served in the manner the applicable DWC rules require for the evaluation type, including service on the other party where required. When you request the exam, our staff will confirm where and how to send records for that evaluation so the physician has them before the appointment.
Yes. Evaluating physicians are available for deposition testimony about their reports. Select "Deposition" on the request form or contact our office, and we will coordinate a date with the physician and the parties.
Yes. Some evaluators speak languages other than English; Dr. David Y. Lee, for example, conducts appointments in Korean and Spanish. When an injured worker needs an interpreter, indicate this and the language on the request form so it can be coordinated before the exam.
Yes. We schedule evaluations for applicant attorneys, defense attorneys, employers, adjusters and third-party administrators. Every evaluation is performed independently, and reports are written to be neutral regardless of which party requested the exam.
Send us the case details and our scheduling team will confirm a physician, date and location. Live staff are available 8 AM to 5 PM PT.
