What is Maximum Medical Improvement?

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be facing a number of serious financial concerns. Medical bills, lost wages, medical device costs and physical therapy expenses can all add up very quickly, putting a heavy strain on any family’s budget. This adds a lot of anxiety to an already difficult situation.
In this situation, you may feel tempted to pursue your personal injury claim as quickly as possible, so you can get compensation for your losses and repay your debts. However, it is important that you do not move too quickly. You only get one chance at a personal injury claim, so you should be sure to do it right.
In particular, you should wait until the moment of maximum medical improvement (MMI) before you move forward with your personal injury claim. This is the point in time when your injuries have healed to the greatest extent that medical science can manage. Essentially, MMI is the point when your condition will no longer improve.
This is important, because until you reach the point of maximum medical improvement, you do not have a full picture of the medical expenses you may incur throughout the course of treatment. For example, a complication could arise during treatment, leading to additional costs. If you settle your claim too quickly, you will not be able to reopen your case to seek compensation for those losses.
Waiting until the point of MMI ensures that you know exactly what medical costs were incurred in the course of treatment, and that you know what type of ongoing medical treatment you require. This enables you to seek compensation for the full value of your associated losses, both now and in the future.
Your attorney can help you document your losses and move forward at the appropriate time. If you have been injured in an accident, the attorneys at Tipp & Buley can help you prepare an effective legal response. To schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our lawyers, contact our law firm online or call our office at 406-389-4215. Backed by more than 50 years of legal experience, we serve clients across Western Montana.