How Maximum Medical Improvement Can Affect Your Claim

July 29, 2020

You may have heard the term maximum medical improvement in reference to personal injury claims and lawsuits.

Below, learn more about what this means and how it affects injury claims. While the insurance companies may want to settle well before you reach maximum medical improvement, a licensed attorney is likely to recommend waiting until your injuries have healed as much as they can. If you settle too quickly, it can be much harder to recover maximum compensation, particularly if you need treatment after your claim settles.

Phillips Law Group has been recovering compensation for personal injury victims throughout Arizona for nearly three decades. Call today to schedule a no-cost consultation. Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers work on contingency so you will not be charged any lawyer fees unless and until we win your case.

Take a look at some of our client reviews to see what some of our satisfied clients had to say about our work.

What is Maximum Medical Improvement?

Maximum medical improvement (MMI) refers to the point when an injury victim has completed his or her recovery, or the point when the injury is unlikely to improve with further treatment. In other words, you may continue to get treatment for pain management and other symptoms, but it is unlikely you will experience significant improvement in your overall condition.

For example, a person who has suffered a physical impairment such as paraplegia would reach MMI when the condition has stabilized. This often takes several months or over a year. It is still unlikely the victim will be able to walk.

What Happens When You Reach MMI?

Once you reach MMI, your lawyer can assess the full value of your damages, including medical expenses you may need in the future. He or she can then help you create a demand letter to send to the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Therefore, it is important to save copies of all medical bills and receipts related to your injury. You could be reimbursed for:

Does Reaching MMI Mean I Can No Longer Receive Compensation?

Your lawyer can assess whether you will need compensation for future medical treatment and other damages you may continue to suffer after the conclusion of the legal process. For example, you may have a loss of earning capacity because of your injuries.

However, once you reach a settlement or the jury reaches a verdict, you cannot pursue more compensation for your injuries. That is why you need to account for future damages when pursuing compensation.

If there were other at-fault parties not included in your settlement or verdict, you may still be able to pursue compensation from them.

What about the Statute of Limitations?

Victims of personal injury in Arizona generally have only two years from the date of the injury to file an injury claim. If you decide to file a claim after this period, your claim may not be accepted by the courts.

As it may take a while to reach maximum medical improvement, you may be concerned about the statute of limitations running out. That is why it is important to talk to a lawyer right away. The experienced attorneys at Phillips Law Group know how to get your claim filed before time runs out.

File Your Injury Claim with the Help of an Experienced Attorney

Filing an injury claim could be complicated without the help of an experienced attorney, especially if you are still waiting to reach MMI.

If you need an attorney with a proven track record of recovering verdicts and settlements, contact Phillips Law Group today. Let our reputable team of legal professionals guide you through the complexities of the legal process, so you can focus on the healing process.

Call Phillips Law Group at 1-800-706-3000 . We are here to help.