An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that the injured worker’s attorney and the insurance company or defense attorney mutually agree to use to resolve medical disputes. AMEs are used when the worker is represented by an attorney.

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What is an AME?

An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a doctor both the injured worker’s attorney and the defense agree to use to resolve California workers’ compensation medical disputes.

What is an AME?: An Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) is a physician that the injured worker’s attorney and the insurance company or defense attorney mutually agree to use to resolve medical disputes. AMEs are used when the worker is represented by an attorney.

Why the choice matters

Once an AME is used for the dispute, the parties generally do not separately proceed to a QME for that same dispute. Read QME versus AME before agreeing to a particular evaluator.

Disclaimer

This page is general education about California workers’ compensation—not legal advice. Your facts, dates, and medical reports control. Workplace Rights Advocacy focuses on civil employment claims. Benefit and medical disputes inside the workers’ compensation system are often best handled by a workers’ compensation attorney. If an employer is forcing you out, denying accommodations, or retaliating around a work injury, that may be an employment case we can evaluate.

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Common questions

Answers we give on every page before you call. More detail is on our full FAQ page.

Do I have a case?

If you faced discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, wrongful termination, leave denial, or a refused disability accommodation, you may have claims. Whether your facts support a case depends on the evidence, deadlines, and applicable law—we evaluate that in consultation.

How much does it cost?

Initial consultations are typically free. If we take the matter, fees are usually explained in a written agreement before you hire us. Many employment cases are handled on contingency (see below).

Do you work on contingency?

In many employment matters, yes—attorney fees may be collected only if there is a recovery, subject to a signed fee agreement. Costs and fee arrangements can vary by case type; we confirm the terms up front.

How long will my case take?

Some matters resolve in months; contested lawsuits can take a year or longer through discovery, mediation, arbitration, or trial. Timing depends on the claims, court or arbitrator calendars, and whether the other side fights. See how long employment lawsuits take.

What should I bring?

Bring or upload what you have: a short timeline, pay stubs or time records, emails and texts, write-ups or reviews, medical or leave paperwork, and the names of witnesses or managers. See our documentation guide.

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Our intake team reviews what you send, follows up if we need more detail, and screens deadlines and claim types. If the matter may be a fit, we schedule a consultation to discuss options, risks, and next steps—or we let you know promptly if we cannot help.