Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Lawyer

Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Attorney

In the bustling hub of Charlotte, North Carolina, workers from various backgrounds and industries suffer injury or the risk of injury every day. Whether you work at the Douglas International Airport or are a construction worker along busy roadways like Interstate 77, you may hear the term “maximum medical improvement.” It is important to understand this legal concept, and a Charlotte maximum medical improvement (MMI) lawyer is here to help.

At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, our team has decades of experience helping the honest, hard-working folks of Charlotte get back on their feet following a workplace injury. Cases involving MMI can be confusing, but thankfully, you do not have to deal with them alone. Having an attorney present who is experienced with North Carolina workers’ compensation laws is vital in the fight to secure the maximum amount of benefits you deserve due to a work injury.

Defining MMI in a Charlotte Workers’ Comp Case

When you become injured on the job, you are often unable to return to work while you recover from your injuries and receive necessary medical treatment. In North Carolina, around 18.4% of these injuries are due to falls. It is the responsibility of your employer and your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider to offer you medical treatment that can help you recover from your injury, reduce your pain, and help you get back to work.

For these reasons, one of the main priorities of your employer will be to get you the medical care you need in order to get you to a point where you can return to work. This is where maximum medical improvement, or MMI, comes in. MMI is a legal term that describes the point when an injured individual has healed or stabilized to a point where they will no longer benefit from medical treatment.

However, this does not always mean that you are completely healed, just that you have recovered to the maximum amount given the condition or injuries you are dealing with. Once an individual is said to have reached MMI, their physician will determine whether or not they have suffered any permanent impairment or loss of motor function or the function of a certain body part. At this point, you may receive a disability rating, which can affect the future benefits you receive.

In Charlotte, only a sanctioned physician has the authority to determine whether or not you have reached MMI. The doctor will determine this based on your recovery progress and whether you will be in need of any future medical treatment in order to improve your condition. There are several ways in which a doctor can determine that you have reached MMI. Common tools include:

• Diagnostic imaging: Certain medical tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, have the ability to show if an individual’s bones, nerves, or muscle tissues have reached a stable condition or have healed. Every 7 seconds, an individual is injured on the job, resulting in injuries that can affect these areas of the body.
• Reports of pain and health symptoms: A medical provider can take into consideration whether or not you are still dealing with swelling, pain, stiffness, or other similar symptoms. If these symptoms have improved or leveled off, they may determine that you have reached MMI.
• Medical exams: Your doctor can track your overall healing by scheduling you for regular checkups in order to see how your injuries or health conditions are improving over time.
• Strength testing and range of motion exams: Some common exams in determining an individual’s MMI are physical exams such as strength testing and range of motion testing. These examinations will determine how well you are able to move your body and how the use of your injured body part is compared to how you were able to use it prior to your accident.
• Your treatment history and physical response: If you have undergone physical therapy, surgery, or medication and are not seeing any kind of forward progress, your doctor may determine that simply undergoing further treatment will not actually help your injury or condition.

It is crucial to ensure your doctor does not pass over this step. Your Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement Lawyer can assist you once your doctor has declared that you have reached MMI in moving toward a permanent disability rate or even a workers’ compensation settlement.

FAQs About Charlotte, NC MMI Laws

Q: What Industries Most Commonly Suffer Injury Where Workers Seek Workers’ Compensation?

A: There are several industries across Charlotte that are prone to risks, and seeing workers suffer injury and the resulting need for workers’ compensation benefits. In 2023, the transportation and warehousing industries saw the highest injury and illness rates per 10,000 workers. Other dangerous industries can include construction, agriculture, and health services.

Q: What Are My Options After Reaching MMI in Charlotte, NC?

A: When you reach MMI in Charlotte, NC, this does not always mean you are as healthy as you were before the accident occurred. It simply means that more medical care will not be of benefit to you. Once you reach MMI, you may be able to consider settling your overall claim. You may also decide to seek a second opinion to determine whether you truly have reached MMI or not.

Q: How Can an Attorney Help?

A: An attorney can help in several ways when you have supposedly reached MMI in North Carolina. It is important to have an attorney who reviews related issues, such as whether you are able to return to your job with or without certain restrictions or if you have been assigned a permanent disability rating by your doctor. Your attorney can then help you either seek a second opinion regarding your MMI or help settle the overall claim.

Q: When Can My Workers’ Comp Benefits End?

A: At some point in your case, your workers’ compensation benefits will come to an end. This typically happens in one of three ways. The first way occurs when your doctor declares that you have reached MMI. Second, this can happen when your injuries are declared permanent, and your attorney is able to negotiate a fair settlement. Third, in very rare cases, your benefits will be terminated when you have simply exhausted your limit.

Speak With a Trusted MMI Lawyer Serving Charlotte Today

For some folks in Charlotte, not receiving the help you need can occur if your doctor mistakenly determines you have reached MMI. At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, our team is here to advocate for the maximum amount of benefits you deserve to help aid you in your recovery. We have a proven track record of success fighting for our clients and are ready to put our experience to use in your case. Contact our offices today and schedule your free consultation.