Understanding the legal terms and concepts related to Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) can play an important role for businesses. In the context of worker’s compensation, maximum medical improvement (MMI) is a term used to describe when an injured employee’s condition has stabilized and no further medical improvement is anticipated with any reasonable standard of medical care and treatment.
In a worker’s compensation setting, MMI is typically used as a starting point to know how much compensation should be offered to the injured worker. Essentially, MMI is the point at which the medical evidence shows there will be no further meaningful medical benefit from any additional treatments. At this point, the injured worker’s condition is considered stable.
MMI can also be used to determine whether an injured worker is eligible for Social Security disability benefits or other forms of disability compensation. In some cases, workers may receive short term disability benefits until they have reached a maximum level of improvement. In these cases, MMI plays an important role in determining how much a worker is eligible to receive.
MMI can also impact businesses in other ways. For instance, employers often pay for worker’s compensation insurance in order to cover the costs associated with workplace injuries. Once an employee receives a determination that they have reached MMI, the employer may be obligated to pay the employee a lump sum settlement.
Understanding the implications of MMI is important for businesses. By familiarizing yourself with the definition and implications of MMI, you can negotiate and better manage any potential settlements and thereby ensure the best financial outcome for your business.