In Texas personal injury cases, reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is a key stage in the recovery and claims process.
MMI is a critical medical and legal milestone that directly affects how a claim is evaluated, negotiated, and resolved.
Knowing what Maximum Medical Improvement is can affect your right to compensation. This is important if you are pursuing a personal injury claim in Texas.
What Is Maximum Medical Improvement?
Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which an injured person has recovered as much as expected from their injuries.
This does not necessarily mean full recovery or a return to pre-accident health. It means your condition is stable. So, more medical treatment probably won’t lead to big improvements.
After a doctor decides you have reached MMI, they will usually provide a final medical report. This report will outline your current health, any lasting impairments, and your future care needs. This report becomes a key piece of evidence in evaluating your damages and calculating the value of your personal injury claim.
Why Is Maximum Medical Improvement Important in a Texas Personal Injury Case?
Reaching MMI before settling your personal injury case is essential for several reasons:
- It allows your attorney and doctors to fully evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries.
- It ensures that future medical expenses and care needs can be properly included in your demand for compensation.
- It helps you understand permanent disabilities or limits. These can impact your ability to earn money or enjoy life.
Settling before MMI can be risky. You might accept an offer that won’t cover all your future costs or compensate you for lasting disabilities.
How Is Maximum Medical Improvement Determined?
Only a qualified healthcare provider can tell when you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement.
The process typically involves:
- Reviewing your medical progress and treatment records
- Conducting follow-up examinations and diagnostic tests
- Evaluating ongoing symptoms, pain levels, and limitations
- Consulting with specialists if needed
In some cases, the insurance company may request an independent medical examination (IME) to confirm MMI. When you reach this point, your doctor might give you a permanent impairment rating. This rating helps calculate damages for long-term injuries.
Should You Settle Your Personal Injury Case Before MMI?
Settling a personal injury claim before reaching MMI is rarely recommended. Some claimants might want to take early settlement offers for quick cash. But this choice can lead to settlements that ignore future surgeries, treatments, or disabilities.
Settlement agreements are usually final and binding. This means you cannot reopen your claim or ask for more money later, even if your condition gets worse. That’s why waiting until MMI is reached is the best way to protect your long-term interests.
How Does Maximum Medical Improvement Affect Damages?
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement allows your legal team to accurately calculate damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If MMI shows a permanent injury or limitation, your settlement should reflect how that injury affects your life. This includes any decrease in your ability to work or do activities you used to enjoy.
How Does Texas Comparative Negligence Apply After MMI?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar under Texas law. If you are found more than 50% at fault for your accident, you cannot recover any compensation.
If you are found partially at fault but less than 51%, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Reaching MMI means your total damages are clear. This includes medical bills, lost earnings, and future care. Only then can comparative fault reductions be applied.
Statute of Limitations for Filing Personal Injury Claims in Texas
In Texas, the law allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Start working with an attorney quickly. This helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and file your case on time. Even if you have not yet reached MMI, your lawyer can file a lawsuit while continuing to monitor your recovery and treatment progress.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Navigate Maximum Medical Improvement
Insurance companies often pressure injury victims to settle before they reach MMI to minimize their payout. Settling too soon can leave you without the resources needed to cover your future medical care, lost wages, or permanent disability.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can:
- Work with your medical team to ensure MMI is properly documented
- Calculate your damages based on both your current condition and future needs
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure full compensation
- Protect your rights and ensure you do not settle prematurely
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we help clients throughout Fort Worth and Texas navigate the personal injury claims process, ensuring that they only settle when the full extent of their injuries and losses is clear.
Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident, understanding what Maximum Medical Improvement is and how it affects your personal injury claim is essential. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we can help you navigate this process, work closely with your medical providers, and make sure your settlement reflects the true value of your injuries, including any permanent impairments or future care needs.
Contact us online or call us today at (214) 327-8000 to schedule a free consultation with a Texas personal injury lawyer.