Handling Estate Battles With GraceHandling Estate Battles With Grace

About Me

Handling Estate Battles With Grace

Hi, I am Ina Aldawen. Upon losing my mother at a young age, I was thrust into the world of estate lawyers in an instant. Although the process could have been a nightmare, I was lucky to end up with an accomplished and kind lawyer. The lawyer taught me all I needed to know about handling my mother's estate properly. I escaped the situation unscathed and with my relationships intact. Although I hope to never have to deal with that situation again, I at least know enough to get through it without too much stress. I built this site to share this knowledge with you in an attempt to help the world deal with estate situations better. Losing a loved one should never include a legal battle over belongings and funds. Unfortunately, it often does, so it's best to stay prepared. Come by often to learn more.

Maximum Medical Improvement: What Does It Mean For You?

22 February 2022
 Categories: Law, Blog

The term maximum medical improvement (MMI) is confusing for some using workers' compensation insurance. It sounds almost as if things are coming to an end. Read on to learn what MMI means and what is next.

The Path to MMI

Workers with on-the-job injuries may be covered by their employer's workers' compensation insurance. At the earliest stage, workers can be paid for their medical treatment costs and earn a disability wage if they need to recuperate at home. The disability wage is based on the worker's previous salary but is a percentage of that pay. This phase may continue for weeks or months, depending on the nature of the injury. The workers' compensation insurer may ask the worker to undergo a special medical examination (the independent medical examination or IME) to determine the status of their injury or illness. The exam is performed by a doctor under contract with the insurer. This exam may lead to the determination of MMI.

What Does MMI Mean?

Everyone heals from injuries in their own time, but the insurer has expectations for workers to return to work. After all, they are the ones paying the workers' disability wages, so they don't necessarily want this stage of the process to go on for too long. Being at MMI means that the worker has healed from their injury as much as they are likely to. After the IME results are provided to the insurer, several outcomes are possible:

  • The worker is ordered to return to their previous position immediately.
  • The worker is ordered to remain on disability pay for the time being.
  • The worker is deemed permanently disabled.

Disagreeing with the MMI Ruling

Workers who disagree with the ruling should act quickly. Appealing a ruling like that comes with a deadline that should not be missed. Though the rules vary from state to state, the worker usually begins to go through a series of appeal hearings, mediation, depositions, and more. Dealing with workers' compensation rules can be difficult for those already dealing with a work injury. If you have been handed an MMI ruling that is not suitable for your situation, speak to a lawyer. Workers' compensation lawyers can advise hurt workers on their rights, how the appeal process works, and they will work to have the worker's benefits restored while the case goes through the appeals process.

Speak to a local workers' comp lawyer to find out more.