What is Maximum Medical Improvement in Texas?

For workers injured, such as through an injury at work, the term maximum medical improvement (MMI) can be confusing. 

What is Maximum Medical Improvement in Texas? The meaning of MMI boils down to the fact that the condition is unlikely to improve based on the doctor’s opinion. For a more technical definition, click here. 

In layperson’s terms, the person’s physical state cannot be improved or decreased and is unlikely to improve with further treatment.

Examples of Maximum Medical Improvement in Practice in Texas

While working as an outside company representative, a man gets into an auto accident and hurts his lower back. During the initial examination, the doctor believed the injured person would require extended physical therapy for exactly seven months. 

After seven months, the person’s back has improved dramatically, but the pain has not entirely disappeared.

After an additional examination, the treating physician believes the worker’s pain will continue, and because further treatment is not calculated to help, maximum medical improvement is likely.

Example 2. A worker in a construction site accident was seriously injured in a fall. Surgery was necessary and the recovery was slow.

Workers compensation pushed for a MMI ruling, but the treating physician believed additional physical therapy and perhaps another surgery many be needed. In this situation MMI is not achieved.

Importance of MMI

After understanding Maximum Medical Improvement, one may wonder why it is an essential diagnosis. In personal injury cases, MMI signals an ongoing issue, but one for which further treatment is not helpful.

With a personal injury case, MMI can mean future issues like pain, discomfort, and disability, yet further treatment is not in the cards. 

How Maximum Medical Improvement Impacts a Personal Injury Claim

With MMI, a personal injury lawyer can make a case for future damages but without more medical expenses. Often, the treating doctor is called to testify about the cause, the extent of the injury, and the issues the accident victim faces moving forward.

While the plaintiff also usually testifies about how the injuries affected their lives, the doctor’s testimony can usually help the attorney get total damages for their client.

Texas and MMI

Every state has its method of dealing with on-the-job injuries. In Texas, treating physicians use the Medical Disability Advisor when considering if their patient has reached maximum medical improvement.

The Medical Disability charts offer a specific timeline and duration for when MMI will be considered. For example, if the MDA indicates that the average recovery time for a back injury is 60 days, this is the timeline that is utilized.

Consider asking your personal injury attorney or medical practitioner questions if you have any concerns about MMI.

If you have been injured in an accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact a Houston personal injury lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm today for a free consultation. (281) 587-1111.

Injured in a Workplace Accident? Get Help at Baumgartner Law Firm in Houston.

Our personal injury law firm in Houston has helped victims of accidents for decades and recovered millions for Houston victims in their accident cases—call (281) 587-1111 for a free consultation.

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Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069

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About Our Law Firm

Baumgartner Law Firm is a Houston personal injury law firm headed by Greg Baumgartner.

Our firm was established in 1985 and has helped thousands of injury victims get maximum compensation for their cases. If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. (281) 587-1111.

Since 1985, Baumgartner Law Firm has limited our law practice to serious personal injury cases. Our legal team has won maximum compensation for thousands of accident victims and recovered millions of dollars for real people like you.

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