So-called independent medical exams are “far from independent,” and so attorneys or their associates should be allowed to accompany their injured clients during those exams, a plaintiffs attorney argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on May 9.

Justice Max Baer, however, seemed to indicate a belief that a Supreme Court ruling sanctioning that request may be a bit broad.

“Plaintiff's counsel has the absolute right to have an associate in the room?” Baer said. “Isn't that an astounding rule?”