Impairment Income Benefits In Texas
Once you reach maximum medical improvement from your Texas work injury, a doctor will perform an impairment rating exam. If you have any permanent impairment resulting from your work injury, then you will be owed impairment income benefits. These benefits are not a settlement of your case. However, they are the closest thing Texas has […]
Maximum Medical Improvement In Texas Workers’ Comp Claims
The Texas Workers’ Compensation Act defines maximum medical improvement (MMI) as the earliest date after which, based on reasonable medical probability, further material recovery from or lasting improvement to an injury can no longer reasonably be anticipated. That sounds pretty clear, but we’ve been arguing about what that means for years. Here’s what you need […]
DWC-69 Not Required To Certify A Texas Injured Worker Is Not At Maximum Medical Improvement
If you want to prove that you are not at maximum medical improvement (MMI), some evidence is required. In the past, there was a question as to how formal that type of certification had to be. Currently, the Appeals Panel recognizes that documentation stating you have not reached MMI can be informal. What does that […]
Disqualifying Association & Designated Doctor Disputes
Unfortunately, too many things happen in a Texas workers’ compensation claim that make you think the deck is stacked against you. That makes you think it can’t all be a coincidence. The employer makes you go to its doctor. The insurance company starts denying things. And you can’t find any help anywhere. The last thing […]
Maximum Medical Improvement Is Not Based On ODG Or MDA Guidelines In Texas
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is not based on ODG or MDA guidelines in Texas workers’ compensation claims. There are some designated doctors that need to learn this lesson. They are using these guidelines to end the benefits of injured workers prematurely and illegally. The ODG, or the Official Disability Guideline, is a treatment guideline. MDA, […]
How To Dispute An Impairment Rating In Texas
In most Texas workers’ compensation cases it becomes necessary to dispute an impairment rating. The system is set up against injured workers right now. This leads to premature impairment ratings that cut off your benefits before you have healed and returned to work. In order to protect yourself and your benefits, you will have to […]