Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is a term that refers to the point when an injured worker has completed his or her recovery or gotten to a point in which the injury is unlikely to improve. Essentially, the worker could continue to get treatment for pain management, but they won’t likely improve any more when it comes to the overall condition. It can often take months or even years to reach MMI. If possible, you want to wait till you’ve reached MMI to settle with the insurance company, as it can be difficult to go after funds if you need additional treatment down the road. A workers’ compensation attorney can answer any questions you may have in regards to MMI and your workers’ compensation claim.

What Happens Once You Reach MMI?

Once you reach MMI, your workers’ comp attorney can properly determine the value of your claim, including medical bills you may have down the road and pain and suffering. Your lawyer can look at your original settlement offer and work with you to create a demand letter to send your employer’s insurance company. It’s important to keep copies of every medical report, bill, and receipts for any expenses paid that were related to your injury. You could be eligible for reimbursement of medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you’ve reached MMI and are wondering what to do next, reach out to a Clinton workers compensation lawyer today.

Once I Reach MMI, Will I Stop Receiving Benefits?

Once the legal process has concluded, you’ll want to have your workers’ compensation attorney assess whether or not you might need additional funds for medical treatments or other damages you may suffer. If you can’t work the same job you had at the time of your injury, you may be eligible for lost wages. That said, once you reach a settlement, you can’t pursue additional compensation. There are certain scenarios, such as if there is another at-fault party that wasn’t involved in the settlement, in which you could pursue more compensation. Your workers’ compensation lawyer will work with you to create a winning strategy that gets you the maximum compensation available.

Do I Need the Help of a Workers’ Comp Attorney?

While it’s possible to file a claim on your own, it can be incredibly difficult without the help of an experienced workers comp attorney, especially if you haven’t yet hit MMI. Most workers’ comp lawyers work on a contingency fee, which means there are no upfront costs to you. Your lawyer only gets paid when you do, so there’s really no reason to use one to help get the highest settlement possible. If you’re trying to navigate the workers’ compensation process, call Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC today at 601-353-8504 and let us handle your claim.