What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) in Workers’ Comp?

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) examines an individual’s physical abilities to determine how to maneuver under different work environments. FCE in workers’ compensation is a measure to assess an individual’s ability to return to work and whether they qualify for a disability claim.

The purpose of FCE is to measure the patient’s strength, endurance, range of motion, or cognitive function. The FCE should be taken when an employer, lawyer, or insurance company requests one under specific circumstances.

If issued, a functional capacity evaluation is crucial to determining whether you can return to work, return with restrictions, or if further accommodations are needed.

If you’re worried about how to approach this exam, consider hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer to guide you through the process.

What is Done During a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation asks a person to perform different regular daily tasks to simulate a work environment, such as:

• Pulling
• Pushing
• Lifting
• Grip and pinch strength
• Balance
• Pain and fatigue levels

What is done during your functional capacity evaluation depends on the physical demands of your job. If you need to stand for extended periods of time or lift a certain amount of weight to do your job, your FCE will reflect those requirements.

Your physician or occupational therapist will compare your current strengths and weaknesses to your job’s physical needs. You may have to return for multiple days for insurance companies to gain a full picture of your condition.

What Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Measure?

The functional capacity assessment measures the physical capabilities of the person’s work injury. These types of examinations include:

• Examining injured areas of the body—measuring the severity of your injury such as inflammation, muscle potency, joints, and range of movement.
• Maneuvering objects—the body’s movement capacity to perform work duties or daily tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, etc.
• Position tolerance levels—the body’s ability to withstand long-term positions such as sitting, bending, kneeling, walking, squatting, and balancing.

Your physician will administer the necessary tests and determine whether your body can perform duties comfortably before returning to work.

Who Performs the Evaluation?

Your healthcare provider facilitates your evaluations and your examiner may be a licensed occupational therapist, physician, or personal trainer.

Some states may require you to go to a treating physician selected by the claims administrator, the employer, or the insurance company. However, you may not need to work with the insurance company’s doctor if:

• You predesignated your doctor before the injury.
• You require emergency treatment.
• Your employer refuses to send you to the doctor.
• Your workers’ comp claim was denied.

You can find out more about performing an FCE for workers’ comp by contacting an attorney. An experienced attorney can help you learn your state laws, and see if you can choose your doctor when you’ve been injured in a work accident.

Overworking Yourself in a Functional Capacity Assessment

You may be overwhelmed by your functional capacity assessment and worried if it may work against your workers’ comp claim.

Know that a functional capacity evaluation doesn’t have a right or wrong outcome. Perform each assessment to the best of your ability without straining yourself so your doctor can accurately compare your capabilities to the nature of your job.

If you cannot perform a certain action, let the test administrator know so they can move on to another part of the exam. You don’t want to be ordered back to work when you’re not properly recovered from your work injury.

Steps on How to Beat a Functional Capacity Evaluation

Here are steps to take when preparing for your FCE exam. 

1. Before your FCE test, you should take time to prepare. Take prescribed medications instructed by your doctor. Your functional capacity assessment may have to measure your pulse and heart rate, so avoid drinking caffeine and get lots of rest.
2. Remember to bring all necessary equipment to move comfortably like hearing aids, a cane, crutches, and a list of medications you are taking. Wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothes you can easily move around in.
3. Consider arranging a ride home. Due to your injury, you may be unable to drive home after your FCE. Therefore, have a family member, friend, or call a rideshare service to take you home.
4. Your evaluator will ask questions about your injury and pain level, so be prepared to answer honestly. If you feel dizzy, sickness, or intense pain during any step of the FCE, let your physician know immediately.
5. Never agree to the job description they provided. Ask for a copy of it and review it to see if it adequately describes your job assignments.
6. Take necessary documents with you to the exam. If you’re working with a workers’ comp attorney, they may send those documents to the clinic on your behalf.
7. Do your best to perform the test and be honest with your capacity. Evaluators can spot a fake performance; therefore, you should never fake your pain or tolerance. Let the evaluator know you are in pain, cannot go on, or if you need a break.

The FCE helps to prove the severity of your condition and contributes as evidence to your workers’ compensation claim. Take this assessment seriously, as it can impact whether you can return to work in a timely manner.

What Not to Do During an FCE

The functional capacity evaluation is not the end-all-be-all in determining whether you qualify for workers’ compensation. Faking your condition by over or under exerting yourself is a key contributor to an inaccurate workers’ comp settlement.

Things not to do during a functional capacity assessment are:

• Being dishonest. Never fake or exaggerate your injury because evaluators are experienced in noticing what’s fake and what’s not.
• Don’t endure the pain and overexert yourself. Let the evaluators know, and you can use the functional pain scale to express your pain levels.
• Don’t do more than what you’re capable of. Tell the examiner if you’re facing difficulty with the task, or if you can’t go on further.
• Don’t take painkillers or muscle relievers since it defeats the purpose of going to a FCE. The purpose is to evaluate your current pain and tolerance. Taking pain medications could make your injury worse, so make sure to avoid taking them for your FCE.
• If you recently underwent surgery or rehabilitative therapy, do not take the FCE. Communicate that with your FCE provider. You may reschedule it in the future after you’ve adequately healed.

How Long Does a Functional Capacity Evaluation Take?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, most functional capacity evaluations take four hours to complete, but it ultimately depends on your job role’s physical requirements.

The examination can take two days and up to eight hours each day. Sometimes your FCE may require a day to complete testing, not multiple days.

The time to complete an FCE would depend on your circumstances such as your occupation, injury, and pain level.

Therefore, it’s important to be prepared by wearing comfortable wear, and bring all medications your doctor prescribed you and your assistive devices.

What if I Cannot Perform the Tests?

Let the evaluator know whether you are in extreme pain when performing your FCE and can’t complete the task. Your inability to perform the task will contribute to your doctor’s report and your workers’ comp claim.

Await for additional instructions from your evaluator and don’t continue if the pain worsens. Never jeopardize your health or safety, as your evaluator can skip the test you can’t perform.

Your inability to perform a certain task may be used as evidence by your attorney for a higher workers’ compensation payout.

When Will I Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits After an FCE?

When you receive workers’ comp benefits after an FCE depends on the severity of your condition and whether you require further tests like an independent medical examination (IME).

After taking the FCE, your doctor or physician determines if you can work without restrictions and if so, your workers’ comp benefits may conclude.

However, if evidence shows you can’t perform your work tasks, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Depending on your work injury, you may receive compensation for medical treatment, income, and earning capacity.

If you qualify for long-term disability benefits, you could receive a settlement offer to cover your future medical care and lost wages.

The Results of a Functional Capacity Evaluation

Your results from the functional capacity evaluation will be analyzed and gathered into a detailed report.

The FCE report will outline your functional capabilities, limitations, and all restrictions that could impact your work responsibilities. Also, it outlines your medical history, tests performed, performance data, and doctor’s recommendations.

The report will be sent to your employer and insurance company, which will be used to determine if you can return to work. If you can work again but need further accommodations, your employer will need to consider that and other modifications.

Otherwise, you’ll be compensated with workers’ comp and disability benefits to help with your income and future medical care. If you received unfavorable results with your FCE, you may contact a workers’ comp attorney and they can help dispute those results.

Find a Workers’ Comp Attorney to Organize Your Claim

The functional capacity assessment may provide evidence to support your disability claims. However, sometimes FCE results are inaccurate, and physicians may even favor the insurance company to avoid paying workers’ comp benefits.

That is why finding a workers’ comp attorney to organize your claim can help you with your workers’ comp and disability benefits.

Fill out a free short evaluation form with LegalASAP who can help you find an experienced attorney within your state. We’re connected with hundreds of firms across the United States and can connect you with an attorney specializing in your case.

For questions or inquiries, you can call our hotline at 1-888-927-3080 and we will try to reach you as soon as possible.