During a workers’ compensation case, an employer or medical provider may request that an injured employee undergo a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) to determine whether they can return to work. An FCE can show whether an employee can return to their pre-injury occupation after a work injury.
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
In a functional capacity evaluation, a person undergoes a series of tests that evaluate their physical abilities related to their job duties. The tests will have them perform actions like pulling, pushing, stair climbing, or lifting. A physical therapist or other healthcare professional will observe their performance to record data and use that information to assess their physical condition. The result of an FCE will determine whether the employee can return to work after a job injury or occupational illness and whether they require any special accommodations or restrictions while working.
What Happens During a Functional Capacity Exam?
During a functional capacity exam, an injured worker will perform various tests or exercises designed to replicate motions they would perform at work. An examiner tailors the FCE to approximate the worker’s duties at their current or prior jobs.
Standard tests performed during an FCE include:
- Lifting strength test
- Push-and-pull test
- Grip and pinch strength test
- Range-of-motion tests
An FCE usually takes one to two days, each lasting four to eight hours. The length of the FCE will depend on the tests performed and whether the worker needs to take breaks to rest, use the restroom, or eat meals.
How Can FCE Results Affect My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Employers and workers’ compensation insurers typically have injured employees undergo FCEs to determine whether they’ve recovered enough to return to work and need accommodations or light-duty restrictions. The results of an FCE are important because they can affect an employee’s disability rating, which determines the amount of workers’ compensation benefits they receive.
If an employee cannot return to their pre-injury occupation and the employer cannot accommodate the recommended restrictions, the employee would then be entitled to another kind of workers’ compensation benefit: vocational rehabilitation.
When FCE findings show that an employee has regained the capacity to perform some work, the employer or their insurance company may seek to terminate or reduce their temporary disability benefits and order them back to work. An FCE can also affect an employee’s workers’ compensation settlement by determining their degree of permanent disability after they reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
Keep in mind that examiners look for signs that employees are exaggerating their injuries during testing. If they suspect a person overstates their pain or the extent of their incapacity, it will be noted on the results and could damage their workers’ compensation claim. An injured worker’s heart rate is often monitored during the test to judge whether there is full effort and participation. For this reason, you should always do your best during an FCE.
Need Help Understanding Your FCE Results? Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Do you have questions about how your FCE results could impact your workers’ compensation settlement? Contact a Maryland workers’ compensation attorney from Trollinger Law LLC today for a free consultation.
