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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Can You Be Fired After Filing for Workers’ Compensation?
Could You Be Fired After a Workplace Injury?
The short answer is “no”. It is illegal for an employer in Pennsylvania to fire an employee for filing a workers comp claim. PA workers’ compensation law prohibits employers from terminating an injured worker for:
- Reporting a work-related injury or disease
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim
- Having a workers comp claim approved
- Receiving workers comp benefits
If you have recently opened a PA workers comp claim or if you have recently reported a work-related injury or illness to your employer and you believe you are experiencing punitive actions such as unfair treatment or if you have been fired, you need to contact an experienced and skillful Wilkes-Barre workers’ compensation attorney at Munley Law to help you prove your employer’s actions were unlawful.
How Does Workers’ […]
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Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?
Sitting around and waiting for your case to settle can be frustrating. It may feel as though you are not being prioritized, or that you’ve been forgotten, but that is not the case. Asking, “Why is this taking so long?” is valid but cannot be easily answered.
The process of settling a case is complex, intricate, and includes many working parts that take time. In some cases, a car accident claim may have to go to court because both parties cannot reach an agreement. This can make the whole process even longer. An important fact to remember is that every case is unique; therefore, the amount of time it takes for a case to settle is unique. Although easier said than done, it is important to stay as patient as possible when waiting for your settlement.
Why Do Car Accident Settlements Take Such a Long Time? […]
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Do I Have to Go Back to Work After My Workers Compensation Ends?
Returning to Work After Workplace Injury
If you’re currently receiving workers compensation benefits after an injury on the job, you could be wondering: “Do I have to go back to work after my workers compensation ends?” You must only return to work after a medical professional has evaluated you and confirmed you are recovered from your injury.
Your employer and your employer’s insurance company have a financial interest in seeing you return to work sooner. However, you should only return to work once you have recovered fully from your work related injury.
If you are feeling pressured to return too soon, or want to understand if you have a workers compensation claim to begin with, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help guide you through the workers’ […]
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Can I Get a Settlement from Workers’ Compensation If I Go Back to Work?
Returning to Work During Workers’ Comp Claim
After an injury on the job, you will have many questions about how to proceed. One may be: “Can I get a settlement from workers’ compensation if I go back to work?” The answer to that is yes. If your doctor has cleared you to work, and your injury won’t get in the way of performing your normal duties, then you are expected to return. This will not impact your workers’ compensation claim.
The workers’ compensation insurance program is a sure way to protect both employers and employees in the state of Pennsylvania. The Workman’s (Workers’) Compensation Act of 1915 ensures that employees’ medical needs and lost wages are covered in the event of a workplace accident. At the same time, it protects employers against crippling lawsuits from injured workers.
You should always remember, […]
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How long does it take to resolve a personal injury case?
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim?
One of the most common questions that our clients ask is: how long it will take to settle my personal injury case? Unfortunately, no lawyer can answer that question for certain because every case is different and it can take time to reach the best outcome possible (if you encounter a lawyer who claims to be able to resolve your case in a fixed time period, that may be a red flag). And of course, if the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, your case may go to trial which will extend the timeline a bit further.
To help you understand what to expect in a personal injury case, our experienced personal injury litigation team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys explain the timeline of a typical case and the factors that can impact your recovery. […]
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