What Is Maximum Medical Improvement?
“Maximum medical improvement” is a legal term used in personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims. This term can be confusing, especially for parties who do not have an attorney. A trusted Florida personal injury attorney will help you. They will guide you through the legal process and address your questions about your case.
A doctor determines when a patient has reached their maximum medical improvement. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the accident victim will no longer require more treatment in the future. Maximum medical improvement is used during workers’ compensation and personal injury claims to evaluate the victims’ injuries and determine if they need any future treatment.
What Determines Your Maximum Medical Improvement?
Some factors that affect how long it may take to reach maximum medical improvement include the following:
- Type of injury: The type of injury is most significant in medical improvement. Some injuries, like broken bones or whiplash, could heal quicker than spinal cord injuries.
- The severity of your injuries: Severe injuries will likely take longer to heal.
- Treatments: If the victim has had several treatments, they may have reached their best improvement. But, if the individual has had unsuccessful treatments, they may not be as effective. Also, it may take longer to reach maximum medical improvement.
- Age: Accident victims who are older may take longer to heal compared to younger individuals.
- Pre-existing health conditions: Those with them may take longer to heal than those without.
- Diagnosis: The diagnosis of injuries also plays a key role. If the diagnosis involves any chronic conditions, such as chronic pain, it may take longer for the individual’s injuries to improve.
- Mental health: An individual’s mental health could play a key role in their physical injuries. Dealing with emotional suffering can impact physical healing.
Several factors could determine an individual’s maximum medical improvement. Knowing these factors could help a person value their injury lawsuit and any future medical care they may need.
Why Is Maximum Medical Improvement Important In Personal Injury Cases?
Maximum medical improvement helps all parties assess the individual’s injuries. It also determines if they need future medical care. When a doctor finds an individual’s MMI, they could also diagnose any long-term disabilities or needed treatments. This will affect the plaintiff’s compensation for an accident caused by a negligent party.
What Happens After a Doctor Has Determined My Maximum Medical Improvement?
After you have reached your maximum medical improvement, you most likely will not need any other treatments. Your doctor will likely issue a disability ranking depending on the no longer treatable injuries. This disability ranking could impact your day-to-day functions and any job opportunities you could take in the future.
If, after your maximum medical improvement, your condition is still serious, you may need future lost wages and medical care. A skilled Florida personal injury lawyer can help you get this compensation.
It is crucial not to rush to a settlement agreement before understanding the full extent of your injuries, emotional suffering, and financial losses. Once you accept a settlement offer, you will not be able to successfully pursue compensation if you later discover that your injuries worsened and you did not actually reach maximum medical improvement. To avoid complications, it is critical to get prompt medical attention and consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Should I Wait Until I Reach My Maximum Medical Improvement?
After an accident, negligent parties or insurers may try to settle quickly. But, their initial settlement amount will most likely not include any compensation for your full medical expenses, including any future medical costs. If you settle before your maximum medical improvement is decided, you may not get full compensation for your injuries. You should wait until your maximum medical improvement before starting settlement negotiations.
If you settle too quickly, you could miss out on the opportunity to recover fair compensation for all of your injuries.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Every Step of the Way
After an accident, whether a slip and fall, truck crash, or workplace incident, you’ll likely hear the term “maximum medical improvement.” Make sure you hire the right attorney for you. The longer you wait, your injuries could get worse. Speaking to a skilled personal injury attorney right away helps protect your claim and begins the process of securing the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Florida Personal Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Florida. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500