Getting injured at work is not an easy journey. From navigating the legal proceedings of a workers’ compensation claim to countless doctor’s visits and physical therapy appointments, the light at the end of the tunnel can feel miles away.
But what happens when the light you are trying to reach unexpectedly goes out?
For some victims of work-related injuries, full recovery is not always possible. Some injured workers in South Carolina reach what doctors call maximum medical improvement or MMI.
What is MMI, and how does it impact your workers’ compensation case? Is there a way to dispute an MMI rating?
Keep reading to see how our workers’ compensation lawyers near you can help.
What is Maximum Medical Improvement?
Maximum medical improvement may sound like a positive goal to achieve in the event of an injury, but, in actuality, it is something most injured parties try to avoid.
MMI refers to the stage of recovery in which your doctor deems no further medical care or treatment will improve your current state of impairment. Simply put, it means the time has come to move on from treatment practices and onto maintaining and accepting a new normal.
When your doctor determines the MMI peak has been reached, they will issue an impairment rating, along with future work restrictions and recommendations for treatment to maintain functionality, such as pain medication or physical therapy.
The MMI rating is, in essence, your doctor’s opinion of your injuries and treatment. One doctor’s opinion of when you reach MMI may differ from another’s, and ratings may vary if multiple injuries from the same workplace accident are involved.
The Role of Maximum Medical Improvement in Workers’ Compensation
The Turning Point of MMI
MMI can play a fundamental role as you move through your workers’ compensation case, acting as the pivotal point where things begin to change during your claim.
During the course of your workers’ comp claim, you will receive payouts from your insurance company, called temporary total disability (TTD). If you receive an MMI rating, the payments will cease as you have now reached a point of permanent disability.
While TTD payments may end, the MMI rating will lead to what is called a permanent disability estimate, which provides a cash settlement to be rewarded at the end of your workers’ comp case.
MMI marks the beginning – or potential end – of your employment. Depending on the results, your MMI rating and the following work-related restrictions will determine if you can return to work, even in a limited capacity.
Workers’ Comp Benefits and MMI
In South Carolina, benefits for workers’ compensation include reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage loss benefits, and death benefits for dependents. In the event your physician declares you have reached MMI, your benefits may bear the consequence.
While MMI does not typically impact the reasonable and necessary medical expenses portion of your benefits, it can hinder your wage loss benefits.
Wage loss benefits are payments made to you for lost wages accrued while recovering from your work-related injury or illness. If you were receiving temporary disability payments, the benefits will subsequently stop when you reach MMI.
From this point, your doctor will determine if permanent total disability or partial permanent disability is applicable.
How Our Workers’ Comp Lawyers Can Help Your MMI Workers’ Comp Claim
Navigating the aftermath of a job-related injury can be overwhelming in the best of circumstances but being told you’ve reached MMI and must accept lifelong impairment is unimaginable.
If you suffered a serious injury while on-the-job in South Carolina, having an experienced workers’ comp attorney on your side can help you on the road to full compensation and ongoing care.
Hoffman Law Firm will investigate your case to determine if you have the legal ground to challenge an MMI rating and gather the necessary medical evaluations and second opinions to receive total compensation after a life-altering injury.
Understand and Fight for Your Rights with Help from Hoffman Law Firm
We understand the legal process of a workers’ compensation case can be daunting, particularly in the midst of recovery, but you don’t have to endure the journey alone.
As one of the leading law firms in Charleston, SC, our team at Hoffman Law Firm is here to help you seek justice and fight for your rights to workers’ comp benefits and compensation.
Plus, you only pay us if we win your case.
We have established a reputation for success, securing much-needed compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain, and suffering, and more.
To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help!
