Frequently Asked Questions About IMEs & Occupational Medicine

An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical evaluation performed by a neutral, board-certified physician who has no prior treatment relationship with the patient. The purpose of an IME is to provide an objective, unbiased medical opinion on issues such as diagnosis, causation, treatment appropriateness, work-relatedness, and functional capacity. IMEs are commonly requested in workers' compensation cases, personal injury litigation, disability adjudications, and insurance claim disputes. The evaluating physician reviews medical records, conducts a physical examination where appropriate, and produces a detailed, defensible report.

Dr. Babatunde Onamusi, MD, MPH is a board-certified Occupational and Environmental Medicine physician with over 25 years of clinical experience. He was previously board-certified in Internal Medicine, giving him a broad clinical foundation for evaluating both occupational and non-occupational medical conditions. He is a long-standing member of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Disability Evaluation Panel (Ohio DEP) and has completed thousands of evaluations including IMEs, PPI ratings, disability evaluations, and fitness-for-duty assessments. His reports are consistently recognized for clarity, objectivity, and the ability to withstand legal and administrative scrutiny.

Metrix Medical & Consulting accepts a wide range of cases, including: workers' compensation disputes and claims, personal injury cases (motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall, premises liability), disability adjudication cases, fitness-for-duty determinations, FMLA medical leave disputes, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings, and cases requiring medical file review without a physical examination. Both plaintiff-side and defense-side attorneys are welcome, as evaluations are fully neutral and independent.

Report turnaround depends on the complexity of the case, the volume of medical records submitted, and whether any additional information is required after the examination. For standard cases, reports are typically completed within 7 to 14 business days of the examination date. Rush turnaround options may be available for time-sensitive litigation or administrative deadlines — please discuss this during intake. Metrix Medical is committed to timely delivery without compromising the thoroughness or defensibility of the report.

Yes. Dr. Onamusi performs evaluations for both plaintiff and defense attorneys. The independence and neutrality of his evaluations are fundamental to their value — an IME report is only defensible if it reflects objective medical findings, regardless of which side retained the examiner. Attorneys on both sides of a case have relied on Dr. Onamusi's evaluations precisely because they are evidence-based and balanced, not slanted toward a particular outcome.

Metrix Medical & Consulting provides statewide coverage across Ohio. Dr. Onamusi conducts evaluations in all major metropolitan areas, including the Cleveland metro area (Northeast Ohio), Columbus (Central Ohio), Cincinnati (Southwest Ohio), Dayton, and Toledo (Northwest Ohio). Evaluations are conducted at partner clinic sites in each region. The main administrative office is located at 904 N Cable Road, Lima, OH 45805. To confirm availability at a specific location, contact the office directly at 419-222-9410.

A Permanent Partial Impairment (PPI) rating is a standardized medical assessment that quantifies the degree of permanent impairment resulting from an injury or illness. PPI ratings are conducted according to accepted medical guidelines — typically the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment — and result in a percentage rating that reflects the functional loss. This rating is used in workers' compensation and disability proceedings to determine fair compensation, support claim settlements, and facilitate case closure. Dr. Onamusi's PPI ratings are guideline-consistent, clearly documented, and designed to withstand administrative and legal review.

A Fitness-for-Duty evaluation is a medical assessment that determines whether an employee is physically and/or mentally capable of safely performing the essential functions of their job. FFD evaluations are typically requested by employers or HR departments when an employee returns from medical leave, has exhibited behavioral changes, or when there are concerns about workplace safety. The evaluation is conducted by a neutral physician who has no prior treating relationship with the employee. Dr. Onamusi provides FFD evaluations that protect both employee rights and workplace safety, and include clear documentation of any identified restrictions or accommodations.

A treating physician's evaluation reflects the perspective of a doctor who has an ongoing care relationship with the patient, with the primary goal of treatment and patient advocacy. An Independent Medical Examination is conducted by a physician who has no prior or ongoing relationship with the examinee and carries no obligation to advocate for either side. The IME physician's role is to provide an objective, evidence-based medical opinion on specific questions posed by the referring party — such as whether a condition is work-related, whether treatment is medically necessary, or what functional limitations exist. This neutrality is what makes IME reports credible in legal and administrative settings.

When requesting an IME, referring parties should submit: all available medical records related to the claimed condition; prior IME reports (if any); a list of specific questions they want the IME physician to address; the claimant's job description or functional demands (for work-relatedness assessments); and any relevant imaging, diagnostic reports, or operative notes. Complete and organized records lead to a faster, more thorough evaluation. Metrix Medical provides a secure record upload portal on the website to simplify this process.

Yes. Medical file reviews are available as a standalone service. In a file review, Dr. Onamusi reviews submitted medical records, imaging reports, prior evaluations, and other relevant documentation to render a written opinion on specific clinical questions — without conducting a physical examination of the claimant. File reviews are cost-effective, faster than full IMEs, and appropriate for causation analysis, treatment appropriateness opinions, utilization review, and second-opinion purposes.

An FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) Medical Assessment evaluates whether an employee's stated medical condition qualifies for FMLA leave and assesses any functional limitations that affect their ability to work. Employers may request an independent FMLA assessment when they have questions about the validity or scope of a leave request, or when there is a need for objective documentation of functional impairment. Dr. Onamusi's FMLA assessments ensure accurate, compliant documentation and help employers make defensible decisions regarding leave approval, scheduling, and accommodations.

Yes. In addition to evaluation services, Metrix Medical & Consulting provides direct clinical care for injured workers. This includes initial evaluation of work-related injuries, evidence-based treatment, return-to-work planning, and follow-up care. Treatment documentation is structured to meet the requirements of workers' compensation systems and employer reporting. This integrated approach — combining clinical care with evaluation expertise — ensures continuity and consistency from treatment through any subsequent evaluation process.

Yes. ADR IMEs are designed to provide a neutral, authoritative medical opinion to facilitate the resolution of contested workers' compensation or personal injury claims without proceeding to full litigation. Dr. Onamusi's ADR evaluations are structured to be impartial, thorough, and persuasive to all parties — often helping attorneys and adjusters reach agreement more efficiently. ADR IMEs can address causation, treatment necessity, impairment rating, and functional capacity.

Yes. Metrix Medical & Consulting is the solo consulting practice of Dr. Babatunde Onamusi. Every examination, file review, and report is personally conducted and authored by Dr. Onamusi. There are no associate physicians, mid-level providers, or contracted examiners involved. This ensures consistent quality, clear accountability, and the same high standard of professionalism on every case.

No. Metrix Medical & Consulting does not accept walk-in patients and does not provide emergency or urgent care services. All consultations and evaluations are scheduled by appointment to ensure that each case receives the dedicated preparation and attention it requires. For work-related emergencies, injured workers should seek care at an urgent care center or emergency room before contacting us for follow-up evaluation and care planning.

Dr. Onamusi's reports are built on three pillars:

(1) Evidence-based reasoning — every opinion is grounded in peer-reviewed clinical guidelines, published literature, and objective examination findings;

(2) Clear documentation — reports are organized to address each question posed by the referring party, with transparent reasoning that can be followed by attorneys, judges, and non-medical decision-makers;

(3) Neutrality — because Dr. Onamusi has no stake in the outcome and no prior relationship with the examinee, his opinions carry the credibility of true independence. These qualities make his reports highly resistant to challenge in deposition, hearing, or courtroom settings.

To schedule an evaluation or request a consultation, you can contact the office by phone at 419-222-9410, by fax at 419-222-6175, or by using the contact form on the website. Medical records can be submitted securely using the "Upload Your Record" portal. When making a referral, please be prepared to provide the claimant's name and date of birth, the nature of the claimed condition, the type of evaluation needed, specific questions to be addressed, and all available medical records. The office will confirm scheduling details, location, and turnaround expectations as part of the intake process.

Metrix Medical & Consulting serves a broad range of industries and sectors throughout Ohio, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, transportation, public safety (police, fire, EMS), retail, warehousing, and logistics. The practice also serves legal professionals (both plaintiff and defense attorneys), insurance carriers, third-party claims administrators, self-insured employers, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and HR and occupational health departments across public and private sectors.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) is the medical specialty focused on the relationship between work, environment, and health. OEM physicians are uniquely trained to evaluate whether a medical condition is causally related to workplace exposures, physical demands, or occupational injuries — a question that sits at the heart of most IME, workers' compensation, and disability cases. Unlike general practitioners or orthopedic specialists, a board-certified OEM physician like Dr. Onamusi has specific expertise in causation analysis, functional capacity assessment, return-to-work evaluation, and the regulatory frameworks governing disability and compensation systems. This specialty training is a significant advantage in producing IME reports that are clinically sound and legally defensible.