(a) The plaintiff to whom a demand for a physical examination under this article is directed shall respond to the demand by a written statement that the examinee will comply with the demand as stated, will comply with the demand as specifically modified by the plaintiff, or will refuse, for reasons specified in the response, to submit to the demanded physical examination.
§ 2032.230.Statement of compliance, partial compliance, or
Title 4. Civil Discovery Act · Chapter 15. Physical or Mental Examination · Article 2. Physical Examination of Personal Injury Plaintiff · Enacted 2004 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 2032.230 requires a plaintiff served with a physical examination demand to respond in writing within 20 days, stating whether the plaintiff will comply as demanded, comply with stated modifications, or refuse and explain why.
Full Text of § 2032.230
(b) Within 20 days after service of the demand the plaintiff to whom the demand is directed shall serve the original of the response to it on the defendant making the demand, and a copy of the response on all other parties who have appeared in the action. On motion of the defendant making the demand, the court may shorten the time for response. On motion of the plaintiff to whom the demand is directed, the court may extend the time for response.
Plain-English Summary
A demand for examination is not self-executing; the plaintiff gets a formal chance to weigh in. The plaintiff has to respond with a written statement choosing one of three paths: comply with the demand as written, comply with it as the plaintiff specifically modifies it, or refuse to submit to the demanded exam, giving the reasons for refusing.
That response has a deadline and a distribution list. Within 20 days after the demand is served, the plaintiff must serve the original response on the defendant who made the demand and a copy on every other party who has appeared in the case. The court can shorten that period on the defendant's motion, or extend it on the plaintiff's own motion, giving some flexibility around a deadline that otherwise moves fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a plaintiff have to respond to an examination demand?
20 days after the demand is served, subject to the court shortening or extending that period on motion.
What are a plaintiff's options when responding to an examination demand?
Agree to comply as demanded, agree to comply with specific modifications, or refuse and state the reasons for refusing.
Who must receive the plaintiff's response?
The original goes to the defendant who made the demand, and a copy goes to every other party who has appeared in the action.
Can the response deadline be changed?
Yes. The court may shorten it on the defendant's motion or extend it on the plaintiff's motion.
Amendment History
(Added by Stats.2004, c. 182 (A.B.3081), § 23, operative July 1, 2005.)
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the West's Annotated California Codes / Thomson Reuters. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: responding to demand for physical examinationplaintiff response medical exam demand