If you’ve been involved in a workplace accident in Florida and are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may be asked to take a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). This test is meant to measure your ability to perform job-related physical tasks after an injury.
Although it might sound straightforward, the FCE can be one of the most important steps in the workers’ compensation process. The results may affect how long you receive benefits and whether they continue at all in some cases. Continue reading to learn about what you should know before completing your FCE.
What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a medical assessment designed to measure your physical and sometimes cognitive abilities following an injury. It’s usually ordered once your treating physician believes you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point at which your condition has stabilized, and further recovery is unlikely.
During the test, a physical therapist will guide you through a series of tasks that simulate work activities.
These might include things like:
- Lifting and carrying weights
- Pushing and pulling objects
- Reaching overhead
- Performing repetitive movements
- Sitting and standing for extended periods
The evaluator will document factors such as your performance and physical limitations to determine your work capacity. This information will then be shared with your employer and other relevant parties.
What to Expect During the FCE
Most FCEs last a couple of hours, though complex cases may take longer. The test is tailored to your injury and job type, so every evaluation is different.
You should generally expect to answer questions about your medical history and current symptoms before beginning physical activities. You’ll also likely be monitored for signs of effort, consistency, and accuracy. Evaluators are trained to spot inconsistencies in performance, which could be reported back to the insurer.
To adequately prepare, you should:
- Dress comfortably in athletic clothing and supportive shoes
- Take prescribed medications as usual unless instructed otherwise
- Bring your ID and any assistive devices you normally use
It’s best to be honest and consistent with your effort, but stop any activity that causes excessive pain.
Why Is the FCE Important in Florida Workers’ Compensation Cases?
Under Florida law, workers’ compensation benefits are based on your ability to return to work after an injury.
The FCE helps establish:
- Whether you can safely perform your previous job duties
- If you require job modifications or light-duty work
- Your Permanent Impairment Rating (PIR), which determines your eligibility for continued benefits
- Whether you’ve reached the end of your medical treatment phase
Insurance companies sometimes rely heavily on FCE results when deciding whether to continue paying disability benefits as well.
Can I Refuse to Take the FCE?
In most cases, no, at least in a practical sense. Once you’ve filed a workers’ comp claim, you are required to comply with reasonable medical requests, including functional evaluations.
Refusing the FCE could give the insurance company grounds to suspend your benefits. However, if you believe the test is inappropriate for your medical condition, your attorney can advocate for you as best as possible under the law.
How FCE Results Can Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The results of your Functional Capacity Evaluation play a key role in determining what happens
next in your claim.
Your doctor and the insurance company will use the findings to decide:
- Whether you can return to full duty work
- If you qualify for light-duty (or modified) work
- Whether you have a permanent impairment
- The level of benefits you may continue to receive
If your FCE report states that you can perform your previous job, your temporary benefits may end. Alternatively, if the report shows lasting restrictions, your claim may move into a permanent disability phase with a specific impairment rating that affects your future compensation.
What if I Disagree With My FCE Results?
If you believe the report doesn’t reflect your true condition, you have options.
You can:
- Request a second opinion or independent medical examination (IME)
- Review the evaluation with your attorney and treating physician
- Challenge the insurer’s decision before the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC)
A lawyer experienced in Florida workers’ compensation can review the findings and determine whether the report appears inaccurate or incomplete. Sometimes, evaluators minimize injuries and misinterpret pain-related limitations, which can unfairly reduce your benefits.
Contact the Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Completing an FCE test is often a key part of moving forward with a workers’ compensation claim. What happens during and after the test can directly affect your benefits, so it’s important to approach it carefully and with legal support.
If you’ve been asked to complete a Functional Capacity Evaluation after a workplace injury, Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help guide you through the process. Contact our Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorneys at (904) 396-1100 for a free consultation.
