What is Maximum Medical Improvement?

If you’ve been injured and are pursuing a personal injury claim, there’s one term you’re likely to hear from doctors, insurance adjusters, or your attorney: Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). It’s a critical milestone in any injury case—and it can directly affect how much compensation you receive.

MMI doesn’t mean you’re fully healed. It simply means you’ve recovered as much as your doctors expect you ever will, with or without ongoing treatment. Once you reach this point, your long-term prognosis and future needs become clearer, allowing your legal team to properly value your case.

What does Maximum Medical Improvement mean in a personal injury case?

Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which a treating physician determines that your condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further with additional medical treatment. This doesn’t mean you’re cured—it means your injury has plateaued, and your doctor can now evaluate any lasting impairments or disabilities.

In a legal context, MMI often marks the time when it becomes appropriate to calculate the full extent of your damages, especially future care needs or permanent limitations.

• MMI signals the end of active treatment—you’ve improved as much as expected.

• Doctors can now assign disability ratings, if applicable.

• It allows your lawyer to fully assess damages, including future medical costs or loss of earning capacity.

• Settling before MMI is risky, since you may underestimate the long-term effects of your injury.

Why is reaching MMI important before settling a claim?

Settling before you reach MMI can leave money on the table. You might think you’re on the road to full recovery—only to later discover you need surgery, physical therapy, or will never regain full function. Once you settle, you usually can’t go back and ask for more.

By waiting until MMI, your personal injury attorney can build a case based on a complete medical picture, not guesswork.

• Your injuries may worsen or stabilize unexpectedly, affecting long-term value.

• Once you settle, the case is closed—even if your condition declines.

• Doctors can provide final treatment summaries, essential for expert reports and testimony.

• MMI provides clarity on whether you’ll have permanent disability or limitations.

Who determines when you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement?

Only a qualified treating physician or independent medical examiner (IME) can determine when you’ve reached MMI. They’ll evaluate your progress over time and decide when no further significant improvement is expected.

In some cases—especially those involving workers’ compensation or serious injury—an insurance company may request a separate MMI assessment by an IME to challenge your treating doctor’s opinion.

• Your primary doctor or specialist usually declares MMI, based on your treatment history.

• IME doctors may be used by insurers to offer a second opinion—sometimes more conservative.

• MMI decisions may be disputed, especially if benefits or compensation depend on it.

• Medical records and objective diagnostic tests often support the MMI determination.

What happens after you reach MMI?

After reaching MMI, your case typically moves toward resolution. Your legal team will use your medical records to calculate both past and future damages, including whether you’ll need ongoing care, are unable to return to your previous job, or have permanent pain or disability.

MMI can also trigger evaluations for permanent impairment ratings, which are often used in settlement negotiations or trials.

• Your lawyer will assess your full financial and medical impact, using your MMI status.

• Settlement negotiations may begin or intensify, now that long-term effects are known.

• Experts may be hired to quantify future care, lost earnings, or life care plans.

• You may qualify for disability benefits or vocational retraining, depending on your prognosis.

Conclusion

Maximum Medical Improvement marks a key turning point in your recovery and your personal injury case. It means your condition has stabilized enough to make informed decisions about compensation. While it can be frustrating to wait, reaching MMI ensures that your claim reflects the true long-term impact of your injuries—not just your symptoms today.