Liability Nightmare: Your DOT Medical Exam Forms Probably Have Errors

Over Half of DOT Medical Exam Forms Contain Errors, Study Finds

A new study by the American Journal of Industrial Medicine has revealed a shocking statistic: nearly 56% of commercial driver medical exams contain errors or inaccuracies, either from the drivers themselves or the certified medical examiners (CMEs).

For motor carriers, this presents a significant liability risk. If a truck driver is involved in a crash and their medical form is found to be incomplete, incorrect, or misleading, it could result in serious legal consequences for the trucking company.

This study, titled “Retrospective Quality Review of Department of Transportation Commercial Drivers Medical Examination Forms,” is the first of its kind to examine the accuracy of DOT medical examination report forms (MERs), commonly known as “long forms.”

Key Findings of the Study

The study analyzed 1,603 DOT medical exams from 367 different certified medical examiners (CMEs) conducted in 2019. The findings were concerning:

🔹 30% of exams contained incorrect or incomplete information from the medical examiner.
🔹 39% of drivers filled out their health history inconsistently, sometimes providing elaborations and other times omitting crucial details.
🔹 29% of drivers failed to provide required elaborations when answering “yes” to a medical condition.
🔹 13% of cases had errors from both the driver and the CME in the same exam.

These errors indicate serious flaws in the DOT medical exam process—a process meant to ensure the health and fitness of drivers on the road.

 

 

Why Accurate DOT Medical Forms Are Critical for Trucking Companies

Errors on a driver’s medical certification form can have major consequences. A misrepresentation of a driver’s health condition could lead to:

✅ Lower Quality of Care – If a driver’s medical condition is not accurately documented, they may not receive the appropriate treatment or monitoring for their condition.
✅ Future Certification Issues – Incorrect documentation may result in disqualification or stricter medical monitoring when it’s time for re-certification.
✅ Legal and Financial Liability for Carriers – If a driver is involved in a crash and an investigation uncovers errors on their medical exam, the trucking company may be held responsible—even if they were unaware of the issue.

A recent update to the Medical Advisory Board’s CME Handbook (2024) emphasized that nearly all certification decisions are based on the driver’s circumstances and the CME’s discretion. This means that errors in medical forms could easily lead to unfit drivers receiving certification—a major liability for motor carriers.

The FMCSA’s Role in Medical Certifications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) actively reviews DOT medical exam results and has the power to disqualify drivers who should not have been certified due to serious medical conditions.

According to FMCSA data, 40% of medical certifications issued are for one year or less due to concerns about conditions that could impact safe driving, such as:

🚑 Cardiovascular disease
💉 Diabetes
🩸 High blood pressure
😴 Obstructive sleep apnea

This means that thousands of drivers on the road may be at risk of a medical event that could lead to an accident, making it even more important for motor carriers to ensure the accuracy of medical exams.

How Motor Carriers Can Reduce Risk from Inaccurate Medical Exams

Since motor carriers can be held liable for accidents caused by a driver’s medical condition, companies should take proactive steps to minimize risk.

Here are three key strategies that can help prevent errors and reduce liability:

1️⃣ Use a Preferred Medical Examiner Organization

• Require drivers to use a preferred CME for their medical exams rather than accepting a driver’s existing certification at hiring.
• This ensures that exams are conducted by trusted providers who follow strict quality control measures.

2️⃣ Subsidize the Cost of Exams

• Consider paying for or subsidizing the cost of medical exams at a preferred provider.
• This allows companies to have greater control over where exams are performed, ensuring higher accuracy and compliance.

3️⃣ Review Medical Forms for Irregularities

• With driver consent and in compliance with medical privacy laws, carriers should audit DOT long forms for inconsistencies.
• If errors are found, companies should take corrective action before allowing the driver to operate a vehicle.

The Bottom Line for Trucking Companies

The high rate of errors in DOT medical exam forms is a serious issue that trucking companies cannot afford to ignore.

By implementing better oversight, working with trusted medical examiners, and conducting internal audits, motor carriers can reduce their risk and avoid costly liability claims.

The DOT medical exam process is designed to keep the roads safe, but if mistakes go unchecked, the consequences can be severe—both in terms of safety and legal responsibility for motor carriers.

 

Source:

https://www.truckinginfo.com/10235463/liability-nightmare-your-dot-medical-exam-forms-probably-have-errors

By Tee Jay Marañon.