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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How Long Does it Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Case?
Know what to expect and how to navigate your personal injury case
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto, workplace, medical malpractice, or other catastrophic accident, the physical, emotional, and financial strains often feel as if they surmount at an exponential rate. Time seems to be of the essence and efforts to expedite your claim may prove to shortchange you of what you are entitled to, should you not be well-informed of common practices that can minimize your settlement. All personal injury cases are not created equal; there are many variables that can
influence the timeline of a personal injury case, and a trustworthy, experienced, and successful lawyer will never profess a guaranteed timeline. Esteemed personal injury attorneys can commit to resolving your case in the most efficient and effective way; our personal injury lawyers have spent decades fighting against culpable businesses and insurance companies in Pennsylvania and we will get you what you deserve. […]
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What is an Impairment Rating Evaluation?
If you or your loved one have been injured at work and are seeking workers’ compensation, you may be required to undergo an impairment rating evaluation to determine the extent of whole-body impairment caused by the workplace injury.
When an employer or insurance company requests an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE), it is to evaluate the total or partial disability of the injured worker so as to ensure the appropriate amount of disability pay is provided. Currently, Pennsylvania law requires an employer to pay total disability benefits for any employee at or above 35 percent disabled.
Unfortunately, many times an employer requesting an IRE is looking to reduce the number of benefits they are paying out by getting an evaluation that reports less than 35 percent disabled.
It is important that you or your loved one consult with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer if you receive a notice for an impairment rating evaluation. […]
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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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