Thomas John Zaydon MD FACS

An expert medical advisor (EMA) is specific to the Florida Workers’ Compensation system. The role of an EMA is “to provide expert medical consultation, opinions and testimony in disputes regarding care or compensation for Florida’s injured workers.” (Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.)

Here are some of the primary duties and responsibilities of a plastic surgery expert medical advisor:

• Settle disputes between two parties by providing unbiased opinions and expert analysis on a workers’ compensation claim.
• Thoroughly evaluate the initial medical exam performed by an authorized physician or the party’s independent medical examiner. 
• Give expert testimonies based on facts but only within the scope of one’s expertise. 
• Protect employers and insurance companies to ensure that medical treatment is not overly excessive beyond what is required to return the employee to their original pre-injury condition.
• Protect employees by ensuring that they receive the proper medical treatment and workers’ compensation that they deserve.

To put it simply, EMAs provide an expert medical decision to help judges determine what treatment is necessary to treat an injured employee. Their job is to resolve any discrepancies or conflicts in the analysis of the court’s authorized physician and the other party’s IMEs.

Either party may request an expert medical advisor. But typically, a workers’ compensation judge will order an EMA when doctors involved in the case disagree on the medical evidence, further treatment needed, and a worker’s ability to return to work.