Have you suffered a serious injury or illness caused by someone else’s negligence? As an accident victim, you may be wondering when you’ll reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) and how this important milestone could affect your personal injury claim’s value and fair compensation payout.
Reaching MMI means a medical professional has determined that continued medical treatment is unlikely to improve your condition significantly. This designation of MMI is a pivotal point for filing a personal injury claim and determining how much your case could be worth.
Although reaching MMI does not necessarily mean you have fully recovered, it gives your personal injury attorney leverage to send a demand letter, negotiate a settlement, or file a personal injury lawsuit if needed. It also allows the assessment of any permanent impairment rating that helps quantify losses.
This article will thoroughly explain maximum medical improvement, how it is reached, why it matters for your personal injury claim, how an attorney can help after MMI, what happens next in the claims process, and how MMI impacts your potential injury settlement.
What is Maximum Medical Improvement?
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is the point at which an injured person has received all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to their injury and is unlikely to see further significant improvement or recovery. MMI indicates that the injury has stabilized, and the patient has reached their highest level of function and independence.
Essentially, MMI means that no further major medical treatment, like surgery or physical therapy, will improve the impairment or symptoms from the injury. Some key things to know about MMI:
- MMI is determined by a medical professional, like a doctor, after examining the patient.
- The timing varies – it could take weeks, months, or even years to reach MMI, depending on the injury.
- Even after MMI, some supportive medical care may still be needed to maintain functioning.
- Reaching MMI does not necessarily mean the patient is fully recovered or cured. They may still have permanent impairment.
- MMI may be reached even if there is still some pain, stiffness, or other symptoms. As long as those are not expected to improve with more treatment significantly, MMI can be declared.
So, in summary, MMI means that medical treatment has done as much as it can realistically be expected to do for the patient’s recovery, and their condition is stable.
Why Maximum Medical Improvement Matters for Your Injury Claim
Reaching MMI is a pivotal point in a personal injury case because it allows for critical next steps:
Closure of Medical Treatment
Once MMI is reached, no further major medical treatment is recommended, so it essentially closes the chapter on medical expenses and cares for the injury. This provides clarity on the total costs of medical bills and projected expenses.
Assessment of Permanent Impairment
After MMI, doctors can better evaluate any permanent impairment or disability resulting from the injury. This impairment rating is factored into determining the value of the claim.
Demand Letters and Settlement Negotiations
The MMI designation clears the way for settlement talks since it indicates you have recovered as much as you likely will. Your attorney can send a demand letter to the insurance company stating how much compensation you should receive.
Litigation if Needed
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit. The MMI gives evidence the injury is stable, so there is no need to delay filing suit further.
So, in many cases, reaching MMI removes uncertainty and paves the way for your attorney to take decisive action to get your claim resolved and get you fair compensation.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your MMI Status
Your personal injury attorney plays an important role in leveraging your MMI status to help advance your personal injury claim and get you maximum compensation. Here are some key ways an attorney can help:
- Negotiate with insurance companies and deal with delays or disputes over whether you have truly reached MMI based on your doctor’s assessment.
- Determine the right timing to send a demand letter and start settlement talks once MMI is established.
- Calculate the true value of your claim based on the permanent impairment designated at MMI, your current and future medical needs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
- Fight for full, fair compensation for you either through aggressive settlement negotiations or by taking your case to court.
- Make sure you understand your MMI status, what it means for your recovery, and how it impacts your claim and options.
Having an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner can make all the difference in getting the maximum compensation you deserve after reaching this important milestone.
What Happens After You Reach Maximum Medical Improvement
Reaching MMI does not necessarily end your injury claim. Here are some of the next steps in the claims process after attaining MMI:
- Your doctor will determine your permanent impairment rating, which indicates the extent to which your injury will disable or limit you long-term. This helps quantify losses for your claim.
- Your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company stating the compensation you should receive based on damages like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- The insurance company will likely negotiate a settlement offer. Your attorney can advise you on accepting an offer or rejecting it to pursue a personal injury lawsuit and try to get a more favorable outcome.
- If your case does go to court, your attorney will build the strongest case possible using evidence that you have reached MMI and the recommended impairment rating to prove your losses and need for damages.
- Additional medical exams may be required even after MMI to follow up on your permanent impairment or evaluate your need for supportive medical care.
- You will likely need to continue appropriate treatment and therapy to maintain your level of functioning achieved by the time of MMI.
- Your attorney can help you understand what expenses related to your injury may be covered even after MMI, such as medications, assistive devices, accessibility modifications, and more.
The post-MMI period involves wrapping up your medical care, proving your losses, and taking action to get properly compensated for the harm done. An attorney maximizes your leverage so you get full and fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a maximum medical improvement (MMI), and how does it affect my personal injury case?
A: MMI is when a doctor determines that your injury or condition is unlikely to improve with further medical treatment significantly. Reaching MMI can affect your personal injury case because it helps determine the full value of your claim, including compensation for permanent impairment. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help ensure you get fair compensation.
Q: I reached MMI, but I’m still in pain. Can I get more medical treatment or compensation?
A: Even after reaching MMI, you may still require medical treatment and be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. An attorney can help you undergo an independent medical exam to determine if additional treatment could improve your condition. They can also fight for full compensation for their injuries and reduced quality of life.
Q: How does reaching MMI impact the value and settlement of my injury claim?
A: Reaching MMI often lowers the value of a personal injury claim since it indicates you have likely recovered as much as medically possible. However, an attorney can still demand fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They can negotiate the best possible settlement or take your case to court if the insurer doesn’t offer adequate compensation.
Q: I reached MMI. When should I accept a settlement offer?
A: It’s best to wait until you reach MMI before accepting a settlement since it determines the full value of your claim. However, even after MMI, don’t accept an offer until speaking to a personal injury lawyer. They can determine if the offer adequately covers your medical bills, lost income, permanent impairment, and pain and suffering.
Q: How can a personal injury lawyer help me after I’ve reached MMI?
A: A personal injury attorney can help prove your injuries and disability rating after MMI, get you the compensation you deserve and negotiate a fair settlement. They can also help you receive ongoing medical care and identify ways to improve your quality of life after MMI. Their expertise can make all the difference in maximizing your claim’s value.
