Snellville Maximum Medical Improvement

Treatment and recovery are the chief concerns for employees who are unfortunate victims of occupational accidents. The incident can have an overwhelming impact on their way of life, personal and professional, which can present some challenges when pursuing a compensation claim. However, the process should not be too complicated and demanding if you consider hiring an experienced lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation, more so when you have reached a Snellville Maximum Medical Improvement diagnosis.

For some workers, reaching MMI becomes another spanner thrown in the works as they try to figure out how they will secure the workers’ compensation benefits. But the Snellville workers’ compensation attorney handling your case will take you through what is required of you, advising and guiding you on the steps to take when pursuing the claim. So, do not hesitate to reach us to get the ball rolling in your fight for what you are rightly owed.

You can call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition at 470-518-5026 to book a free consultation and learn how we can help.

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What Is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?

The term Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is referenced in workers’ compensation laws across many states in America. MMI is used when defining a work-related illness or injury that has been determined not to improve with further medical intervention. It means the doctor believes the claimant’s health will not get better with further treatment or care even though it could be essential and administered to help the individual cope with pain and suffering or keep the condition from worsening.

Therefore, the significance of maximum medical improvement in a workers’ comp case cannot be overstated. The lawyer representing you will consider its impact when helping you pursue the benefits you are entitled to after the work-related accident.

Who Determines When You Reach Maximum Medical Improvement in Georgia?

Under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act, only a certified health physician attending to the patient (the claimant) is authorized to determine if the victim reached MMI (maximum medical improvement). It means the doctor will not only qualify you for the MMI but also prove sufficient proof for the same, which the court will consider when awarding compensation. It means that your sickness or injury status has reached what is medically possible to help it improve, and nothing further can be done.

With the maximum medical improvement, workers do not have any say in the matter. Moreover, the law stipulates that no other health attendant (nurse or physical therapist) can determine if you reached MMI, only the doctor authorized to handle your treatment and recovery process is mandated to qualify you for the MMI status.

Does Medical Treatment Continue After an MMI Diagnosis?

Given that you still have a health issue (the sickness or injury persists) after the doctor determines your reached maximum medical improvement, the law says you have the right to seek compensation. That means you qualify to pursue income benefits and are entitled to receive medical care. Therefore, the law cushions you against losses associated with being unable to resume work because of your health or return to work and be assigned a suitable role but with a lesser wage.

Some employers under their insurance carrier’s advice can discontinue the employee’s income benefit after returning to work without any health-related restrictions after the maximum medical improvement diagnosis. An MMI can be a loophole that can be exploited to deny or reduce your compensation. Your Snellville attorney can help you seek another doctor’s opinion about your MMI diagnosis to help clarify the direction to take with your workers’ compensation claim case.

Concept of Snellville maximum medical improvement

What If You Cannot Return to Work and Perform the Same After MMI?

Suppose you get an MMI diagnosis from your doctor and have resumed work but finding it hard to execute your duties as usual given the nature of your work-related illness or injury. In that case, you could request weekly benefits and medical care even after your Snellville maximum medical improvement diagnosis.

According to Georgia workers’ compensation laws, the employees should get both medical treatment and income benefits for 400 weeks, whether working part-time or full-time. The benefits are meant to cater to the expenses incurred as you seek options that aid in managing your condition. But it is best to note that your workers’ compensation coverage expires after the stipulated 400 weeks.

Also, we wish to point out that your claim might be settled as soon as your employer or the insurance providers discovers you reached MMI, particularly if the medical interventions have plateaued or wound down. With the maximum medical improvement, it is assumed that the doctor also has helped you understand and come to terms with the implications of your work-related sickness or injury for the remainder of your life.

Given the complexities associated with MMI, it is best to consult your lawyer to ensure you take the best route to resolve the case and see you get full benefits. Your doctor could also give you an MMI diagnosis that stipulates your performance aptitude after the accident if you wish to go back to work. Moreover, the benefits will be suspended once your physician determines you are fit enough to resume work. Suppose you cannot resume your professional occupation due to your injury or sickness, which has a permanent or partial disability diagnosis. In that case, you will be eligible for permanent or partial disability worker’s comp benefits.

Call Us Today for Advice on Snellville Maximum Medical Improvement

At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our objective is to help employees that come to us for help to get justice as they fight for their rights and interests. We know pursuing a workers’ comp claim can be challenging, especially when you get an MMI from your doctor. You are left wondering what the future holds for you as a professional and if you can recover all benefits owed from your employer. But fear not; we are here for you.

The attorney handling your comp case will take you through what is required of you, advising and guiding you on the steps to take when pursuing the claim. So, do not hesitate to reach us to get the ball rolling in your fight for what you are rightly owed. You can call 470-518-5026 to book a free consultation and learn how we can help. We can provide our services on a contingency-fee arrangement so that you do not need to focus on lawyer fees but instead on getting better and back on your feet.