If you or your loved ones have been hurt in a workplace accident, the law allows you to seek workers’ compensation benefits in Fort Myers. However, you can lose your workers’ comp benefits once your medical doctor determines you have achieved Fort Myers maximum medical improvement.
In our opinion, it is better to hire a credible workers’ compensation attorney to help you seek workers’ compensation benefits. Your attorney will ensure you do not lose your benefits once you reach maximum medical improvement. However, you must hire an experienced and knowledgeable Fort Myers workers’ comp lawyer.
Our attorneys at Work Injury Rights have a combined 45 years of experience handling workers’ compensation cases in Florida. We are ready to help you receive the benefits you rightfully deserve. We will even help you understand Fort Myers maximum medical improvement. Contact us today at 954-388-8616 to talk to one of our experienced lawyers.
What Is Maximum Medical Improvement?
It is when your work injury has become stable or healed, so you no longer need further medical treatment. In some cases, it might mean you have not completely recovered from your work injury. It means you cannot continue the medical treatment since it would not yield further improvement.
However, if you have completely recovered from your workplace injury, you may no longer need medical treatment. If you were not going to your job, you can now return to work.
Unfortunately, it is normal for employers to pressure their injured employees to return to work once they receive a Fort Myers maximum medical improvement diagnosis. Do not let your employer pressure you to go back to work. You can only return to work once your medical doctor approves you to go back to work.
Therefore, do not rush to return to work. It is much better to talk to your medical doctor. You may still need to rest to completely recover from your work injury even after you reach Fort Myers maximum medical improvement.
If you cannot return to work and the insurance company stops your benefits, it can negatively impact your life. You will need strong legal representation to avoid losing your workers’ comp benefits once your doctor determines you have reached maximum medical improvement.
Our team of lawyers will ensure you understand your options once you reach Fort Myers maximum medical improvement. We can help you avoid losing the benefits.
Who Determines When the Employee Has Reached Maximum Medical Improvement in Florida?
The medical doctor of the injured worker determines when the worker has reached maximum medical improvement in Fort Myers, Florida. Therefore, your medical doctor will try all available treatment methods to treat your work injury before claiming you have achieved maximum medical improvement.
The insurance company or your employer will not determine if you have achieved Fort Myers maximum medical improvement. It is better to listen to your doctor to avoid losing your benefits. If your employer forces you to go back to work before you completely heal, you can sue them. However, you need to have the right lawyer to help understand your legal rights.
Does Medical Treatment Continue After an MMI Diagnosis?
The medical treatment can continue after a Fort Myers maximum medical improvement diagnosis, depending on the nature of your work injury. If you have reached maximum medical treatment, it does not mean you no longer require further medical treatment. In some cases, you may still require regular care and screenings since you suffered from serious workplace injuries.
If you are dealing with partial disabilities, your attorney can help you seek Florida workers’ comp benefits if you cannot return to your previous job. Once you have achieved maximum medical treatment, you will need to have a knowledgeable attorney to avoid losing your benefits.
If you can return to work, you can still receive workers’ compensation benefits. For instance, if your doctor approves you to do light duties, you will receive the benefits. This is because you are not earning as much as you used before the workplace accident. The benefits cover the difference in your income.
What Happens if You Cannot Return to Work and Perform at the Same Level After Your MMI Diagnosis?
Once you reach maximum medical improvement in Fort Myers, FL, it does not mean you can return to work and perform at the same level. If you are not fully healed from your work injury, you will not perform at the same level as before the workplace accident. If your medical doctor does not approve you to return and perform at the same level, you will receive the benefits.
You will work with your employer to determine what you are capable of performing. If you cannot do the same job, you can seek a new job. If you need the training to start the new job, the workers’ comp benefits will cover the cost of the training.
In some cases, you can work with your employer to determine a settlement because you cannot go back to your job. Your employer will pay you a huge sum of money to close your case. Therefore, you will need an attorney to help you negotiate a settlement amount with the insurer of your employer.
If you do not have strong legal representation, your employer may offer the lowest settlement amount. Do not accept their first offer. It is better to contact a lawyer to get the full settlement amount.
Speak to Our Lawyers About Your Fort Myers Maximum Medical Improvement Case
It is easy to lose some workers’ compensation benefits once your medical doctor determines you have reached Fort Myers maximum medical improvement. If you do not understand workers’ compensation, you are more likely to lose all the benefits.
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer can give you peace and save you time and money. Your lawyer will never let the insurance company or your employer ignore you once you reach Fort Myers maximum medical improvement. You can trust your attorney to help you seek the maximum workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have been hurt in your workplace and you are looking for experienced and skilled workers’ compensation lawyers in Fort Myers, Florida, contact Work Injury Rights. We have the best interests of our clients in mind. We will not rush through paperwork and we will never rush you to go back to work before you are ready. We will work hard to get you the maximum compensation you are owed. Call us today at 954-388-8616 for a free case review of your Fort Myers maximum medical improvement.