When pursuing a workers' compensation or personal injury claim in Green Bay, Wisconsin, maximum medical improvement (MMI) marks a critical milestone that significantly impacts your case's outcome. This medical-legal designation occurs when a healthcare provider determines that an injured worker's condition has stabilized and no further meaningful improvement is expected with additional treatment. MMI directly affects settlement negotiations, disability ratings, and the types of benefits available. For workplace injuries, reaching MMI triggers important decisions about returning to work, permanent restrictions, vocational rehabilitation, and potential settlements. Understanding MMI's implications is crucial as it influences both temporary and permanent disability benefits under Wisconsin's workers' compensation system, potentially affecting your right to future medical care and compensation.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Act governs workplace injury claims in Green Bay, requiring employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees. Claims must be filed within two years of the injury or discovery of occupational illness. Once MMI is reached, workers have limited time to dispute permanent disability ratings or settlement offers. Benefits may include temporary total disability (TTD), permanent partial disability (PPD), vocational rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment. Wisconsin's comparative negligence law allows recovery even if partially at fault, provided fault doesn't exceed 51%. Insurance carriers must respond to claims within specific timeframes and cannot unreasonably delay MMI determinations. An experienced Green Bay injury lawyer(link is external) will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Here are the most frequent causes of workplace injuries in Wisconsin based on workers' compensation data:

1. Slip and fall injuries(link is external) due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways
2. Overexertion injuries(link is external) from lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy objects
3. Repetitive motion injuries causing carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis
4. Struck by falling objects or equipment
5. Vehicle accidents during work-related travel
6. Machine entanglement in manufacturing settings
7. Exposure to harmful substances(link is external)
8. Caught between moving equipment or objects
9. Electrocution injury(link is external) from faulty wiring or equipment

Related Resources:

• Brown County Circuit Court, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Workers' Compensation Division
• Bay Area Medical Center Occupational Health Services
• Wisconsin State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Act (Chapter 102)
• Green Bay Vocational Rehabilitation Office

Return to the Green Bay workplace accident information page