Maximum Medical Improvement: What It Means And Why It Is Important In Filing A Personal Injury Claim

Personal injuries happen for a variety of reasons. When they occur due to the reckless actions of others, victims have the right to hold those at fault accountable.

When filing a personal injury claim, ‘maximum medical improvement’ is a term frequently used. As the name implies, it indicates when any ongoing health issues are likely to result in permanent impairments. Our Miami personal injury lawyer explains why it is important to wait until this point before settling your claim.

Maximum Medical Recovery: When Personal Injuries Result In Long-Term Disabilities

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 100 million people visit hospital emergency rooms each year for treatment of accidental injuries. Car accidents involving drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are among the leading causes, as are slips, falls, and other accidents that occur on someone’s property.

When someone’s reckless actions are directly responsible, you have the right to hold them accountable in a personal injury claim. Whether seeking compensation through insurers or the local court, doctors and legal professionals generally advise waiting until you have reached a level of maximum medical recovery. This is the point at which your condition is unlikely to improve significantly and it generally implies the following:

• Any resulting symptoms or impairments you suffer from are likely to be permanent and ongoing;
• Your condition will likely continue to require ongoing medical care and attention;
• Long-term disabilities could impact your ability to work or perform daily tasks;
• Depending on the specific types of injuries and ongoing impairments, these could impact your overall quality of life and may even hasten an early death.

Obtaining The Total Amount You Need To Recover

Under the Florida Statutes, you have up to two years after an accident to file a personal injury claim. This allows time for doctors to determine the level of maximum medical improvement you are likely to make and any long-term health impacts that may result.

This may seem like a long time but it is important to not settle your case until maximum medical recovery is reached. You have only one chance to get the compensation you need to recover in a claim. If you rush to accept an offer now, you could end up facing major out-of-pocket costs.

By waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement, you could be entitled to additional compensation:

• Coverage of all future medical expenses, including periodic doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medications, and physical therapy;
• Compensation for wheelchairs and other medical devices or assistive aids;
• Coverage of future losses in earnings and benefits;
• Compensation for loss of companionship and lost enjoyment in life.

Contact Our Miami Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has suffered personal injuries, reach out to Pita Weber Del Prado. We provide the caring support and trusted legal guidance you need in filing a claim.  To request a consultation, call 305-670-2889 or contact our Miami personal injury lawyer online today.

Sources:

cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/0768PARTIContentsIndex.html