Maximum Medical Recovery: How Your Future Health Impacts An Oregon Personal Injury Claim

Personal injuries you suffer due to the reckless and negligent actions of others can have long-term impacts on your health. To ensure you get the amount you need to avoid future out-of-pocket costs, it is important to reach the maximum level of medical recovery before settling your claim. Our Oregon personal injury attorneys explain more about what this term means and how it affects your right to compensation.    

Reaching The Level Of Maximum Medical Improvement From Personal Injuries

Motor vehicle crashes, sports or recreational accidents, and slips and falls that occur on another’s property are all common causes of personal injuries. Even if your symptoms appear minor, get medical care immediately. Not doing so could impact your health and your rights in filing an Oregon personal injury claim. 

Broken bones, muscle strains, and injuries to the head, back, or neck can all end up causing ongoing impairments. Your doctor will assess your condition, determine a diagnosis, and advise you on when you have reached a level of maximum medical improvement. Under American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines, this means: 

• You have reached a plateau in terms of your care;
• Any additional treatments or procedures are unlikely to significantly improve your condition;
• Any current medications or other treatments are likely to be ongoing;
• Any impairments you suffer from are likely to be permanent. 

It can take long months to reach the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI) after personal injuries in Oregon. Settling your claim prior to reaching this level could prevent ongoing expenses from being included as part of a personal injury claim. 

Making Sure Future Costs Are Covered

If you suffer personal injuries due to an accident in which someone else is to blame, insurance may cover your costs. However, be wary of any immediate settlement offers. Insurers are for-profit businesses and as such look for ways to cut costs. They know that people may accept an immediate offer, not realizing it is far less than what they deserve or actually need to recover. 

To avoid paying out-of-pocket in the future, avoid settling your case prior to reaching a level of maximum medical recovery. Under the Oregon Revised Code, you have up to two years after an accident to file a personal injury claim. This allows time to determine any long-term impairments and ongoing expenses. This includes: 

• Future medical costs, such as testing, surgical procedures, medications, and physical therapy;
• Future lost income, which includes losses in earnings and benefits in the event of long-term disabilities;
• Future pain and suffering, such as being unable to engage in your favorite hobbies or perform certain types of household activities. 

Contact Our Oregon Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Before accepting a settlement that is less than what you deserve, reach out to the Johnston Law Firm P.C. We help you get the maximum amount you need to avoid future-out-pocket costs Call (503) 546-3167 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with our Oregon personal injury attorneys.