We’re all prone to injuries, given that over 120+ million accidents occur each year in the United States. Out of these, 24.2 million necessitate a trip to the ER.
If you’re injured unintentionally due to someone else’s fault, Beach Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim. For perspective, people in America file over 400,000 personal injury claims annually.
However, if you choose this path, it might be in your best interest to hold your horses until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Interested in knowing why? Stick around as we explore the topic further.
MMI: Finding Meaning
In a literal sense, MMI implies you’ve reached a point where no additional medical treatment can result in the injury’s healing or improvement. In short, you’ve made as good a recovery as possible based on your treatment or therapy. While this might imply you’ve reached an endpoint, it’s anything but.
MMI varies based on one’s age, state of health before the injury, the severity of the injury, and more. It typically implies either of the following aspects:
- Your medical condition isn’t expected to improve further with treatments or therapy, although your situation is worse off than it was pre-injury.
- Ongoing treatment will be necessary to help you stabilize or deal with your injuries. For instance, in case of irreversible injuries such as a spinal cord injury, physical therapy or other treatments might be necessary for life.
- You have regained the same level of health you had prior to your accident.
The Connection Between Your Claim and MMI
The link between an injury claim and reaching maximum medical improvement is a critical aspect of the process for injured individuals. After sustaining a personal injury, you must choose the best path forward regarding physical and mental rehabilitation.
For starters, various factors play into the compensation you can claim. These include:
- The impact of your injuries on your life – physical, mental, financial, social, and emotional.
- The degree of negligence attributable to the responsible party.
- The extent to which you can prove fault or liability for your injury.
- Duration of treatment to reach MMI.
- Long-term issues related to pain or trauma
So, before sending a demand letter, it’s advisable to wait until you reach MMI. By so doing, you’ll be aware of the full scope of your injuries, enabling you to claim the amount you deserve.
But this doesn’t always apply in every case – you may file a claim after getting a diagnosis. For instance, if you have a broken leg, you may wait to reach MMI before filing your claim.
Conversely, if the injury is so severe that it’s unlikely to improve with treatment, you might file a claim immediately. The case of a brain injury is one such situation, as it requires a great deal of medical attention, usually at the expense of the party at fault. Likewise, if the other party’s insurance limit is low and you need the money to cover medical bills, you should file a claim before reaching MMI.
Who Has the Final Say on Reaching MMI?
To ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment, determining if a patient has reached maximum improvement typically involves a team effort. The attending medical team is responsible for making the initial assessment, monitoring the patient’s progress, and designating if the patient has reached MMI.
Sometimes, insurers challenge the opinion of the medical team regarding MMI. As such, an independent doctor may examine your injuries and decide whether you’ve reached MMI or not – if you need ongoing treatment or have recovered. Ultimately, this can determine your compensation from a personal injury claim. An independent examination can also help you figure out if a modification of your current course of care is needed.
How A Lawyer Can Help You
Reaching MMI means it’s easier to project your medical needs – a critical part of the injury claim process. It enables your lawyer to negotiate a proper settlement for your injuries.
Also, it paints a better picture of your past and present care costs, ensuring you only agree to a settlement offer that covers the full extent of your injuries. Your injury lawyer can therefore help value your claim more accurately after you reach MMI.
In addition, a lawyer can help you navigate legal complications related to MMI and injury claims, such as proving fault, filing a claim before MMI, dealing with insurers, going to trial, and more. Therefore, it’s advisable to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer after sustaining an injury.
Reaching MMI can significantly impact your injury claim and the settlement you receive. Thus, it pays to partner with an attorney to ensure you don’t settle for anything less than you deserve.
