In most cases, you shouldn’t agree to a settlement until your doctor says that you’ve reached what’s usually called “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). This is the stage in your recovery when your condition has plateaued, and you’re not likely to improve with further treatment. In other words, you’re as good as you’re going to get.
The reason for waiting until this point is simple: You won’t be able to estimate the value of your case accurately until you know the full impact of your injuries. Will you be able to return to work? Will you have full use of your injured body part? Will you need future medical care? All of these questions must be answered before you can decide whether the settlement offer is fair.
In Michigan, for a severe injury, disability benefits will continue until you’re ready to return to work or reach MMI. If you settle your case before this point, you may be cutting your temporary disability benefits short, and the settlement offer might not account for the value of those benefits.
