subject: Work Accident Attorney Explains Your Options After Mmi [print this page] If you are hurt on the job, you may do everything you're supposed to do as far as reporting and getting medical treatment. But you could still find yourself earning a significantly lower salary. Many jobs require specific physical abilities, and if those abilities are compromised after an accident, the employer may only be able to offer continuing employment in a lower paying position.
Say you're a law enforcement officer and an on-the-job accident results in several torn tendons in your ankle. Once youve received all the medical care the doctor deems necessary you still may be unable to perform your former duties. Your employer may only be able to keep you on in a lower paying position even though you've done nothing wrong and followed all procedures correctly. If this is you, a South Florida Work Comp lawyer may be able to help.
What is MMI?
MMI stands for "maximum medical improvement." It means your doctors have provided all the care they believe necessary and you are cleared to return to work. At this point, your work accident compensation wages through Workers Comp end. If you are in this situation, call a Work Comp attorney to find out what your options are. Fort Lauderdale jobs are often physically demanding due to the nature of industry here, and workplace injuries are common. Don't think that just because you've reached MMI you're out of options. A work injury attorney can apprise you of ways you can reach your former earning potential.
When an Accident Results in a Lower Salary
If your employer is only able to place you in a lower paying position after you've reached MMI, you do have the option of vocational retraining. Workers Compensation can provide you a wage benefit for six to 12 months so that you can undergo job retraining. The job retraining should allow you to obtain a new job that will return you to the earning capacity you had before.
Medical Options After MMI
Your medical care does not have to be over just because you reached MMI. Some injuries are notoriously difficult to treat, and if you're not happy with your recovery, you can request additional treatment from the doctor who originally treated you in hopes of improving your physical functioning. If that doctor isn't able or willing to help, you may request a one-time change of physician. Before doing this, do research to find out who the best specialists are in your area and find out if the Workers Comp insurer will switch you to that doctor. You may require a specialist to be able to return to your previous job duties. Your work injury lawyer can walk you through this process.
Unfortunately, the Workers Comp laws in Florida don't compensate people who return to a lower paying position after recovering from an on-the-job injury. After MMI, you can only receive wage benefits if the Workers Comp physician says you are unable to return to any type of work, not just the job you used to perform. Call a Fort Lauderdale work accident lawyer to help you protect your rights as an injured worker.
