Have you met your Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement requirements? Worker’s Compensation benefits for employees in North Carolina are available for those that need them. They can apply to individuals that become physically injured, or sick, and they will receive compensation in several different ways.
This will include payment for medical treatments, and they will also receive a portion of their weekly wages. However, there are time limits on these benefits, as well as certain criteria that you must present in order to qualify for them.
When you submit a request for workers’ comp, it needs to be done in a way that clearly presents you are deserving of these benefits. This includes understanding what the maximum medical improvement aspect of workers comp actually means.
If you are not sure how to do this, you should contact our Charlotte workers’ compensastion lawyers so we can help you through the process.
Call us 24/7 at (704) 706-2689
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What is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?
If you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, and you are recovering from your injuries or illness, there is a point where you will reach the maximum length of time during which they will compensate you for your recovery. This is referred to as Maximum Medical Improvement.
In these cases, it will be determined that your medical condition is stabilized, yet the employee is not expected, by the medical professional involved in their case, to see any further or continue improvement in their physical condition.
This may not mean that they are disabled, but it does refer to the fact that they are as good physically as they can be based upon what occurred.
At this point, the worker may receive a Permanent Partial Disability rating based upon the injured body part. The worker can choose to accept this rating, plus they can appeal this rating for up to two years if there is a change in their condition.
Doing so, however, can put them at risk of losing their disability benefits. The doctor may also place restrictions on this worker because of their condition. Based on these restrictions, they may also want to consider searching for suitable employment.
When people reach the Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement point, they may want to consider settling their NC workers comp case which may require legal assistance.
Who Determines When The Employee Has Achieved Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement?
Based upon the medical opinion of the physician assigned to their case, this determination of Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement is the assessment of the medical doctor. This can be problematic for the worker who may soon lose their disability benefits.
However, just because the physician has made their determination regarding the employee’s capacity to improve, this does not automatically lead to the end of the treatments they have been receiving.
Does Medical Treatment Continue After an MMI Diagnosis?
If the physician determines that a worker has reached Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement, this does not mean that medical treatments will stop. They may continue to receive yearly doctor visits and also receive pain management assistance.
All of this will be paid for by the employer as long as they continue to need this ongoing treatment. It also does not mean that the employee’s wage replacement disability benefits will simply stop.
When an employee is facing a situation where the employer has stated that they may lose their benefits, it is time to speak with a workers comp attorney that is highly skilled in North Carolina workers comp law.
You will need to work with an NC board-certified workers’ compensation attorney to ensure that your rights are protected.
What Happens If You Cannot Return To Work And Perform At The Same Level After Your MMI Diagnosis?
At this point, the worker has the option of accepting what is called a Clincher Agreement. This means that they may choose to settle for a certain amount of money because they have reached the Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement.
The type of work that they do may require them to perform at a certain level, something that they may not be able to do any longer.
This may lead to training for different work, and at the very least, receiving compensation for their injuries as they move on to another profession to find suitable employment.
Every step of this process must be considered very carefully, and the best way to do this is to work with professionals that have helped hundreds of others that were in similar situations.
Call Us Today To Understand Your Charlotte Maximum Medical Improvement
Navigating the sometimes complex world of Worker’s Compensation law in North Carolina can be extremely difficult, especially if the physician has deemed that you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement.
If you are not able to do your job as you did before, or if you need ongoing treatments for your condition, it may require you to pursue legal action to protect your rights.
If you are at this crossroads, it is advantageous to contact a North Carolina attorney that can help you with your case. If you are not sure what to do, or if you feel that your rights will soon be violated, contact our 1Charlotte law office today to take advantage of our expertise. Call us 24/7 at (704) 706-2689
