Define Maximum Medical Improvement
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is reached when an injured person “reaches the maximum benefit from medical treatment or is as far restored as the permanent character of his injuries will permit and/or the current limits of medical science will permit.” [20 Miss. Code. R. § 2-VI]. It is the point at which the person’s condition stabilizes and they are not expected to improve or recover further. However, that person may still need continued care for managing symptoms or maintaining their current state of health.
MMI is important in legal terms because it is a determining factor in the extent of compensation or benefits that an injured person may receive. Once a person’s health has plateaued and they have reached MMI, benefits typically stop. This is true in workers’ compensation cases, where temporary benefits are provided to an injured worker until MMI is reached. If they are no longer too injured to work, all benefits may stop. If they are still too impaired or disabled, they may need to switch to long-term disability benefits.
As a general rule, insurance companies typically stop paying for treatments if a doctor believes a condition can not improve. It is determined not only by medical knowledge, but if the person will be able to improve their ability to live their day-to-day life as well. When MMI is reached, the focus tends to shift from immediate medical coverage to seeking the potential compensation for whatever injury or illness occurred.
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What’s the Difference Between Permanent and Temporary Disability?
If you’ve been hurt at work and are now undergoing the workers’ compensation benefits forms, you’ll likely see words like temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits. Ultimately, your medical improvement will determine the types of workers’ compensation coverage you qualify for. However, these two categories can make a great deal of difference in your compensation for your work-related injury.
In general, your workers’ comp claim can get you financial compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, and future earnings loss in the case of long-term disability.
Before you begin the process, contact a workers’ comp attorney who can guide you to ensure you get the financial benefits you are legally entitled to.
Understanding the Difference Between Temporary and Permanent Disability in Workers’ Comp Cases
The main difference between temporary and permanent disability is when the injured cannot work. […]
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Will My Employer Hold My Job While I Recover From a Work Injury?
Workers’ compensation benefits offer you a lot of things, like compensation for medical care, specific loss benefits, and payment of lost wages. But it doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a job to return to once your work-related injury or illness has recovered.
Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, which means you can be let go from your position at any time, so long as it is not for a discriminatory reason. That would include filing for workers’ comp.
However, if your employer needs your job position to be active, for example, if you’re a full-time employee for a construction firm and are in the middle of a deadlined build, they have a right to replace you. But, when you return, they must offer you a suitable job replacement.
The only way to avoid at-will employment laws is to have stipulations in your employee contract or belong to the union. […]
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