After you have become injured in a workplace accident, you might be told about the concept of "maximum medical improvement." This is a stage you will receive as you recover from your work-related injuries. If you're concerned about how maximum medical improvement might affect your case, make sure to speak with workers' compensation lawyers.
Maximum Medical Improvement Doesn't Mean That You're Fully Recovered
You might still be injured but your doctor might not expect you to recover any further. For example, you may suffer an injury that initially leaves you in a wheelchair and you may later regain the ability to walk.
If you have very serious injuries, and if you will not be able to work for an extended period of time, you should consider having your case handled by a workers' compensation attorney. If you're not sure if this is the right decision for you, an attorney can offer a free initial consultation to help you understand how you might pursue your case.
What Happens Afterward
After you reach a state of maximum medical improvement, your attorney will provide you with a disability rating. The disability rating will include the tasks you are capable of. Any tasks you cannot perform will be listed as "work restrictions".
Because of your work restrictions, you may need to be moved to a different position when you return to work. In some cases, there might be no positions that your employer will be able to place you in.
How Your Compensation Might Be Affected
Depending on the state in which you reside, you will receive compensation based on the extent to where your doctor believes you are injured. If a part of your body is disabled, a doctor will assign a percentage for how much that part of your body is injured.
Maximum Medical Improvement Laws are Complex
Doctors often do not understand the rules of maximum medical improvement. Therefore, they will often misinterpret the requirements of a state and place you in a bad situation. Also, even if you have reached the state of maximum medical improvement, this doesn't mean that you should not pursue treatment options that are available.
Fortunately, a workers' compensation attorney can educate both you and your doctor on worker's compensation law so you can take the steps necessary to protect your benefits. An attorney will also fight for you when the workers' compensation insurance provider wants to deny your claim.
