Many employees work in safe environments that involve very few injuries. However, injuries occur in the workplace and some work related injuries cause employees to become temporarily or permanently disabled. Usually employees obtain treatment and are eventually able to return to work. They can receive compensation for missing work and have their injuries treated through their
In the case of Smith v South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the Supreme Court ruled that an employer could stop temporary disability benefits once an employee reaches maximum medical improvement.
Another case regarding MMI, Anderson v. Baptist Medical Center and Palmetto Hospital Trust Fund, says that an injured worker is entitled to temporary total compensation for the period of time where the worker is totally incapacitated from work. Once the employee has reached MMI and is no longer temporarily totally disabled, the employer can end disability benefits. If the employee reaches MMI but still has a permanent functional impairment, he or she usually has a permanent disability to the injured body part, and is entitled to benefits based upon the severity of the disability.
