If you are reading this, most likely you have a workers’ compensation claim. The insurance company requires you to take a Functional Capacity Exam (FCE).
The FCE is a test of your physical abilities following your work injury. Additionally, it helps insurance companies determine your eligibility for benefits. Understanding more about the FCE is essential to recovering compensation through your workers’ compensation claim.
Navigating through the FCE
The FCE is an evaluation of your abilities in relation to your job’s demands. The insurance company chooses a physical therapist to oversee the exam, which includes these phases:
- Interview: Questions regarding your medical history and current condition
- Physical examination: Tests assessing your strength, flexibility and range of motion
- Functional testing: Movements determining your abilities, such as walking, pushing, carrying and pulling
- Pain and fatigue assessment: Observations monitoring your pain and fatigue thresholds
The physical therapist writes a report, informing the insurance company about your performance. The physical therapist’s opinion can classify your condition as Full Return to Work, Partial Disability or Total Disability. Depending on your classification, you can continue or cease receiving weekly benefits to compensate for your lost wages.
Understanding the potential bias
The problem with the FCE is that it is a snapshot of a brief time that the insurance company then uses to justify its decisions regarding your workers’ compensation benefits. If your final report states that you can return to work, the insurer may argue that further medical treatments are no longer essential to improve work capacity. This can be troublesome, especially if you experience delayed symptoms of an injury.
Protecting your rights
When attending your FCE appointment, perform the test to your maximum safe effort. Try your best to move consistently to avoid getting flagged with poor effort, as this can jeopardize your claim.
If you believe that the insurance provider made a biased decision, consulting an experienced personal injury attorney can offer helpful insights.