In its simplest form, maximum medical improvement or MMI, is the doctor’s way of saying “it’s as good as it’s going to get.”  When an injury has occurred and the employee reaches a state where his or her condition cannot be improved, the doctor will inform the patient/client they have reached MMI.  Once MMI is reached, the treating physician is saying no other reasonable treatment can be done to help the patient/client improve.  Although, you may not be 100% better, you have reached a state where you have done everything you can do in that point in time.  All of the treatment options should be exhausted before it is determined a patient has reached MMI.

If the patient is receiving workers compensation benefits and reaches MMI, his or her condition will be assessed, and the doctor will give a disability rating.  Your attorney should request a written statement from your doctor when you have reached MMI, which should also contain your disability rating.  Depending on the rating, the doctor will advise your employer on what tasks may or may not be performed, these are known as work restrictions.  For example, if you have suffered a back injury but are able to return to work, your doctor may medically advise you to perform sit down or sedentary tasks.  Since a back tends to get stiff after sitting down for long periods of time, the doctor may also advise you be able to hold a position where if necessary, you are able to stand up and work.  Obviously, depending on your condition, it may be hard to hold a position that can do both, and the employer may not have a position where this is possible.  The disability rating is important because depending on your condition, it is a key component in negotiating your settlement amount.