What Does Maximum Medical Improvement Mean for My Claim?

The weeks and months following an injury sustained at work can be incredibly difficult. Not only can the injury you’ve sustained lead to a considerable amount of pain, but it can also be disruptive. You may be unable to do the things you once enjoyed, and your doctor may have prohibited you from returning to work. However, you may find that one of the hardest aspects of this process is learning that your doctor has deemed that you’ve reached maximum medical improvement. If you’re unsure what this means or how it can impact your benefits, keep reading. The following blog explores these details, as well as the importance of working with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney to assist you.

What Is Maximum Medical Improvement and How Is It Determined?

When you sustain a serious injury, it’s important to understand that it can take a considerable amount of time to treat and heal, and in some instances, you may never fully recover from the injury endured. As such, your doctor may inform you that you have reached maximum medical improvement. While you technically reach MMI when you make a full recovery, this generally refers to the fact that someone’s injury has essentially plateaued. This means that they will no longer see significant improvements in their condition. As such, they have reached the highest level of healing possible for their unique circumstances.

Determining MMI can be difficult. However, there are steps involved before this is made official. Generally, your physician’s observations play a considerable role. If they see that you are no longer responding to treatment options, for example, they may make this determination. Similarly, you may be asked to partake in a Functional Capacity Evaluation, which is a series of tests that help determine your ability to perform tasks related to your job. These tests play a critical role in determining if you are able to return to your job, if you can return in a reduced capacity, or if you can no longer work in your previous role.

What Benefits Can I Receive After I Reach MMI?

If you have reached maximum medical improvement following a workplace injury in Florida, it’s important to understand the impact this can have on your benefits and the compensation you are eligible for.

Generally, when you file for workers’ compensation, you can receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) payments, which typically award up to two-thirds of your average wages. If you can work in a reduced capacity, you can receive Temporary Partial Disability income. This is awarded if you are unable to earn 80% of your prior wages.

In the event you reach MMI but you can only return to work in a reduced capacity, you are likely eligible for Impairment Income Benefits. This will be determined by your impairment rating, which will be issued by your provider. In the event you are deemed unable to work, you can receive Permanent Total Disability benefits to help compensate you for your lost wages.

As you can see, the process of being deemed medically incapable of working or returning to your previous capacity can be incredibly difficult. Not only can this be upsetting and disheartening, but it can also be hard to fight for the compensation you need. That is why it is imperative to connect with an experienced attorney at the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore. Our firm will examine your circumstances and fight for the best possible outcome for you. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you during these difficult times.