What Is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?

After a serious injury from a car accident, slip-and-fall, or workplace incident, recovery often involves medical treatments, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. These interventions can help you heal and improve your quality of life, but at a certain point, you may not see further progress.

This stage, called Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), means your condition has stabilized, even if you haven’t fully returned to pre-injury levels. MMI is crucial in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases because it sets the basis for determining fair compensation.

Learn what MMI is and how it can affect your Missouri workers’ compensation or personal injury claim.

Understanding Maximum Medical Improvement

MMI refers to the stage at which an individual’s condition has either returned to its pre-injury state as closely as possible or has reached a point where it’s unlikely to improve, even with continued care. Medical professionals determine this point based on the following:

• Nature of the Injury: Medical professionals consider the type and extent of the injury. Some injuries, like head trauma, have a limited capacity for recovery and may only heal to a certain point.
• Response to Treatment: Doctors evaluate how the injury has responded to physical therapy or medication. If improvement slows or stops, it may indicate that MMI has been reached.
• Prognosis for Future Recovery: Doctors assess the likelihood of further recovery based on the individual’s progress so far. They may give you an MMI designation if additional improvement is unlikely.

The Significance of MMI in Personal Injury Cases

Reaching MMI establishes the full extent of your injuries, meaning you can’t include damages or medical costs that arise in the future.

For attorneys, MMI provides the basis to accurately evaluate fair damages for your injuries related to your accident. An MMI designation gives you and your legal team a clearer understanding of the injury’s long-term impact and the support needed to move forward. 

Using your physician’s MMI assessment, our skilled St. Louis car accident attorneys can calculate a settlement that covers your long-term expenses, such as ongoing medical costs, lost earning capacity, and continued pain or trauma.

Common Misconceptions About MMI

While MMI is an important milestone, several misconceptions can create confusion around its role in personal injury cases. Keep the following in mind regarding MMI:

• MMI Doesn’t Mean Full Recovery: A frequent misunderstanding is that MMI signals a full recovery. MMI simply means no further improvement is expected, even if symptoms or disabilities persist. MMI can involve conditions that leave individuals with ongoing pain or limitations.
• MMI Isn’t the End of Medical Treatment: Reaching MMI doesn’t mean an individual will no longer need medical care. It might indicate the start of long-term maintenance treatment, such as physical therapy, pain management, or periodic medical consultations.
• It’s Not the “Final Say” in Treatment Options: Patients at MMI may still explore alternative or experimental treatments. However, for legal purposes, MMI provides a baseline for understanding the predictable outcomes of standard treatments.

Navigating the MMI Process

Navigating the MMI process involves key steps to protect your health and strengthen your case. Support your claim with these actions:

• Discuss All Symptoms With Your Doctor: Share any ongoing pain, limitations, or symptoms with your physician. Clear communication allows your doctor to assess your long-term needs accurately.
• Request a Comprehensive MMI Report: Coordinate with your attorney to ask your doctor for a detailed MMI report. A full report is critical for calculating compensation, as it documents your condition and prognosis.
• Stay in Contact with Your Attorney: Follow your attorney’s guidance closely after reaching MMI, and update them immediately on any changes in your condition. These updates allow your attorney to refine your case strategy and seek fair compensation based on your evolving needs.

Work With an Experienced Attorney for Fair Compensation

MMI determination can impact the outcome of your personal injury settlement or workers’ compensation claim, and you deserve skilled legal representation to bolster your case. At Cofman Townsley, our attorneys bring years of experience to cases involving MMI determinations, from car accidents to workers’ compensation.

With a trusted network of medical professionals, we can establish your MMI status and determine the full value of your claim based on your long-term needs. Contact us today for a free case review to explore your options for fair compensation.