What does Maximum Medical Improvement mean?

Maximum Medical Improvement (“MMI”) is a term commonly used in the context of workers' compensation and personal injury cases.

It refers to the point in medical treatment where a person’s condition has stabilised, and further improvement is not anticipated, even with additional medical treatment. At this stage, the injured person has reached a plateau in their recovery, and the focus may shift from active medical treatment to other aspects of the injury or disability, such as rehabilitation, vocational training, or long-term care.

There are several issues to bear in mind when considering whether a person has reached MMI: -

1.      Stabilisation of the Medical Condition

MMI is reached with the injured person’s medical condition has plateaued, and there is no expectation of significant improvement or deteriorating in the in the next 6 – 12 months.

2.      Ongoing Impairment

While further improvement may not be expected, it does not necessarily meant that the individual has fully recovered. They may still have residual impairment or disabilities resulting from the injury or medical condition.  

3.      Treatment Plateau

MMI does not necessarily mean that all medical treatment will cease, however it can often mark a transition from active medical care aimed at improvement to maintenance care focused on managing symptoms and preventing deterioration.

4.      Assessment of Permanent Impairment, or Whole Person Impairment (“WPI”)

In many workers compensation cases and personal injury matters, the determination of MMI is linked to the assessment of permanent impairment arising from the injuries.

5.      Legal and Compensation Claim Considerations

In the context of personal injury claims, reaching MMI is often a crucial factor in determining the amount of compensation or benefits a person may be entitled to. Depending on the type of claim, it can often determine the calculation of disability benefits or settlements.

6.      Independent Medical Examinations (“IME”)

In most cases, an independent medical examination will be required to assess whether the person has reached MMI and what level of permanent impairment they have as a result of their injuries. The examination is performed by a third-party specialist who is engaged to provide an unbiased medico-legal opinion of the person’s status and impairment.

It is important to note that the specific criteria and procedures for determining MMI and the level of permanent injuries vary great subject to the circumstances in which the injury was sustained. For example, the NSW Workers Compensation system if very different to the assessments applied to workers injured on a coal mining site.

If you have sustained injuries and have questions regarding MMI and available claims, please reach out to our friendly team for a no obligation consultation.