In a California personal injury case, one term you might hear is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This just means:
- You’ve healed as much as you’re going to heal from your injuries—at the time of your examination.
With MMI, it’s not some theoretical idea. It’s going to be a percentage based on factors like your treatment and improvement. It’s used specifically as a cutoff of workers’ compensation benefits, but it can factor into a personal injury case that runs alongside it. One way or the other, it can be a confusing number. Our team at Maison Law can explain everything and help you through the process. Set up a free consultation today.
How Will I Reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) isn’t about a single treatment or a fixed date—it’s really about your body and how it responds to care. For most people, it happens after a combination of:
- Doctor visits
- Therapies
- Following your treatment plan set by your doctors and staff.
Your doctor will monitor your progress over time. They’ll look at how much your pain, mobility, and function have improved, and whether any further treatment is likely to make a noticeable difference. Once they determine that your condition has stabilized and isn’t expected to get significantly better, that’s when you’ve reached MMI. At that point, you’ll get a:
- Permanent impairment rating, usually set as a percentage.
For example, you might get an impairment rating of 10% after a back injury, which means your injury leaves you with functional limitations of 10% based on the medical guidelines.
It’s important to remember that reaching MMI doesn’t always mean you’re fully “back to normal.” Certain injuries take longer to heal–if they heal at all. What’s important for you is to know how this is going to play into your personal injury case.
How Does MMI Factor Into a Personal Injury Case?
For a personal injury case, MMI matters a lot. This is because it sets a benchmark for your healing. But more than that, it gives everyone involved a number to look at for understanding your injury and what kind of help or damages you’re going to need moving forward. With this, an insurance company (or jury) can have a better idea of your:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care needs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
But it’s far from all you’ll need to figure out as you make your way back to full health. Our team at Maison Law will be with you from the very beginning, helping you understand MMI and how you can pushback against unfair rulings or tactics. Reach out today for a free consultation to learn more about the process and your options.
