A functional capacity evaluation, or FCE, is a series of physical tests that measures what you can do after an injury. It evaluates activities such as lifting, carrying, bending, standing, and walking to help determine your work restrictions and ability to return to your job.
In a DC workers’ compensation case, your treating doctor or an insurance company doctor may recommend an FCE. The insurance adjuster or nurse case manager may arrange the appointment.
What Happens During an FCE?
An FCE often takes several hours and is usually performed by a physical therapist or occupational therapist. Depending on your injury and the evaluation, you may be asked to lift and carry objects, bend, reach, push, pull, walk, or climb stairs. The evaluator may also measure how long you can sit or stand.
The evaluator records how you perform these activities, including your limitations and symptoms. Some tasks may look like physical therapy exercises, but the purpose is to measure your abilities rather than provide treatment.
How Can an FCE Affect Your Workers’ Comp Case?
The report can help your doctor determine whether you need restrictions, such as limits on lifting or how long you can stand. It may also help identify whether you can return to your regular job or need light duty.
The insurance company may use the report to argue that you can do more than your doctor has allowed or that you are ready to return to work. That can affect decisions about your wage benefits.
Some reports include comments about effort, “pain behaviors,” or “symptom magnification.” The insurance company may use those comments to question your limitations. The results need to be considered alongside your medical records, your doctor’s opinion, and the actual demands of your job.
What Information Matters During an FCE?
The evaluator needs an accurate picture of your job. Lifting something once during a test is different from lifting it repeatedly throughout a shift. Explain what you carry, how often you lift, and how much time you spend on your feet.
Be honest about your symptoms and limitations during the evaluation. Afterward, ask for a copy of the report and discuss the findings with your treating doctor, especially if they do not match what you experience at work.
Have Questions About Your FCE?
Whether you have an FCE scheduled or the insurance company is questioning your restrictions after one, Donahoe Kearney can help you understand how it may affect your case.
Attorney Frank Kearney has more than 30 years of experience helping injured workers. Call 202-393-3320 or contact us for a free consultation.
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