What Is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?

If you’ve been injured in an accident and are pursuing a personal injury claim, you may hear the term Maximum Medical Improvement (also known as “MMI”) frequently. But what does maximum medical improvement really mean, and why is it important to your case?

In simple terms, maximum medical improvement is the point at which your doctor believes that further recovery from your injury is unlikely. The Department of Labor defines MMI as when an injury or illness is stabilized and is unlikely to improve with or without additional medical treatment. Reaching maximum medical improvement doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fully recovered; it just means that further treatment isn’t expected to lead to major improvements.

For some, reaching maximum medical improvement may mean they’re back to their pre-injury health. For others, it may mean they’re left with chronic pain, physical limitations, or a degree of permanent disability. Maximum medical improvement is a common concept in both workers’ compensation and personal injury cases because it helps determine the long-term effects of an injury and provides a baseline for compensation.

Examples of Maximum Medical Improvement

• A person with a fractured leg may reach maximum medical improvement after the bone has healed and physical therapy is complete, even if they still experience occasional discomfort or minor difficulty walking.
• Someone with a spinal cord injury might reach maximum medical improvement when doctors have provided all possible treatment options but they still have pain or mobility issues.
• A person with a traumatic brain injury may reach maximum medical improvement after extensive therapy, but they may still have lasting memory challenges or cognitive impairments.

In short, reaching maximum medical improvement gives you and your personal injury lawyer a clearer understanding of the full effects of your injury. With this understanding, your attorneys can more accurately calculate compensation for your medical care, pain and suffering, and any lasting disabilities.

Why Is Maximum Medical Improvement Important in a Personal Injury Case?

Reaching maximum medical improvement is a major milestone in a personal injury case. It provides critical insight into your injury’s long-term effects, making it easier to estimate the full range of damages. Here are several ways MMI can affect your claim:

1. Determining Future Medical Costs: When you reach MMI, doctors can better estimate any future medical treatment you may need. In a personal injury claim, you’re entitled to seek compensation for both past and future medical expenses related to the injury. This includes ongoing treatments, physical therapy, medication, or even surgeries that may be necessary to manage your condition over time.
2. Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages: Pain and suffering damages are often based on the severity and duration of an injury’s impact. MMI helps establish how permanent your pain or limitations are, which can significantly affect the compensation amount. If maximum medical improvement is reached and you’re left with ongoing pain or restricted mobility, it could increase the amount awarded for pain and suffering in your settlement or court verdict.
3. Assessing Permanent Disability or Impairment: Sometimes reaching MMI reveals a lasting impairment or disability. For instance, if you have limited use of a limb, chronic pain, or permanent hearing loss, your doctor may assign a permanent impairment rating at maximum medical improvement. This rating indicates the degree of impairment and its impact on your life and career, which can greatly influence the value of your claim.
4. Making Informed Settlement Decisions: Settlement negotiations are most effective after reaching MMI. If you settle before reaching maximum medical improvement, you risk underestimating the full extent of your injuries, potentially leaving you financially responsible for future medical costs. Reaching MMI provides your legal team with the complete information needed to pursue a settlement that truly addresses your injuries and needs.

Our team of experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates has more than 90 years of combined litigation experience in personal injury cases, and we prioritize reaching maximum medical improvement before advising clients to settle or resolve their case. This ensures our clients are seeking the most accurate and complete compensation for their recovery.

What Happens If You Settle Before Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement?

Insurance adjusters often encourage injured individuals to settle quickly, sometimes before reaching MMI. Here’s why accepting a settlement too early can be risky:

1. Incomplete Medical Costs: Settling before maximum medical improvement can lead to a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your long-term medical expenses, such as future surgeries, medications, or therapies that may be needed to manage your condition.
2. Underestimated Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are hard to calculate until the injury’s long-term effects are known. Settling too early may result in a lower pain and suffering award because you don’t yet know the full impact of the injury on your daily life.
3. Loss of Fair Compensation for Disability: Settling early may mean you lose compensation for permanent limitations. Reaching MMI allows a doctor to assess the lasting effects of your injury, so you can be compensated for any disabilities or impairments that impact your life and work.

How Does Maximum Medical Improvement Affect Long-Term Medical Needs?

For many, reaching maximum medical improvement doesn’t mean an end to medical care. Doctors may recommend treatment plans to manage symptoms or prevent further complications. This can include:

• Medication Management: Chronic pain often requires ongoing medication. After reaching MMI, your doctor may prescribe medications to manage pain, reduce inflammation, or control muscle spasms.
• Physical Therapy: Ongoing physical therapy helps maintain mobility and prevent stiffness. If your injury limits your movement or strength, your doctor may recommend regular rehabilitation sessions.
• Assistive Devices: Depending on your limitations, your doctor may recommend using assistive devices such as braces, wheelchairs, or orthotics to help you maintain your mobility and independence.

Knowing your long-term medical needs ensures that a settlement fully covers your care and provides fair compensation for the ongoing effects of your injury.

Reaching MMI: The Path to Fair Compensation

“Reaching maximum medical improvement is not only a medical milestone—it’s a turning point in your personal injury case. MMI gives clarity on the full extent of your injuries, guides settlement discussions, and allows your legal team to seek compensation that addresses both current and future needs. Waiting until MMI is achieved can be challenging, but it’s a crucial step for ensuring you receive fair and accurate compensation.” – Illinois injury attorney, John J. Malm.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we use our team’s 90 years of combined litigation experience to guide clients through every step of their personal injury cases, from medical evaluations to final settlements. With offices in Naperville and St. Charles, our Illinois personal injury attorneys are committed to supporting our clients and fighting for the compensation they deserve.

If you have questions about maximum medical improvement, your rights, or your personal injury case, contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to provide the guidance you need and help you pursue the compensation that will support your recovery and future well-being.