Submitted by rsg on Fri, 02/18/2022 - 10:08 rsg's Blog If you have been hurt while on the job, or if you have a work-related illness, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. A FCE is used to help determine the value of your workers’ compensation settlement. To get the highest settlement for your workers’ comp claim, enlist the help of an attorney. A lawyer can help you prove the severity of your injuries and that you were injured while on the job. What Does a Functional Capacity Evaluation Determine? A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) evaluates someone’s ability to perform work related activities as they apply to their employment. An FCE can help determine if you can return to work, information about your injury, or determine if you qualify for workers’ compensation. An FCE can be ordered by the insurance company, your employer, or an attorney. It is designed to provide impartial information about your work-related injury or illness, and it is safe. There are several tests that are part of the FCE. Among those tests are – Physical strength Lifting ability Range of motion Flexibility Stamina The ability to carry objects Other work-related abilities These can help make sure you do not cause a hazard by returning to work too soon while also showing the severity of your injuries and showing that they are work-related. The FCE can be very beneficial to your workers’ compensation claim and can provide your lawyer and the insurance company with the details that they need to ensure you are treated fairly throughout the workers’ compensation claims process. It can also play a vital role in determining the value of your workers’ compensation settlement. Is A Settlement In Workers’ Comp. Determined By A FCE? When you have been injured at work and are pursuing workers’ compensation the amount of the settlement that you’re offered doesn’t depend solely on the FCE. But, the FCE does influence the settlement amount. The FCE is designed to measure your stamina, range of motion, strength and tolerance for carrying out work activities so that it can determined whether or not you can continue to do your job, or what other work you might be able to do. The settlement offer that you get will include in part money based on your ability to work in the future. So if the FCE shows that you can no longer do the job that you were doing because you don’t have the stamina, range of motion, or strength that you had before the injury then you should receive compensation for future lost wages. But it’s not the only determining factor in the settlement offer. Other factors that are considered when the settlement offer is determined are things like: Your age Your education or training Whether or not you need retraining in order to work If you have lost a limb or the ability to use a limb If you can’t work at all because you are now permanently disabled Wages for the work time that you missed while you were recovering Pain and Suffering Out of pocket medical expenses Doctor appointment and prescription co-pays And more. The settlement should include enough money to cover any and all expenses related to your injury. How Is an FCE Used in a Workers’ Compensation Settlement? When an FCE is ordered, it usually means your claim is nearing an end. Once they have established permanent restrictions from your FCE, you can use those details to help determine the value of your settlement. Your workers’ compensation attorney will review the details of your claim and your FCE, then work with the insurance company to resolve the matter. By using the FCE, they can determine if the insurance continues paying for lost wages, physical therapy, medical expenses, and so forth. The FCE is an important component of a workers’ compensation claim and can help you get a fair settlement for your workplace injury or disease. Get Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim To get a decent settlement for your workers’ compensation claim, you may want to consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer. By gathering documentation and reviewing your FCE, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get a fair settlement for your work-related injuries. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details of your workers’ comp claim with an attorney who represents clients in your area. Maintain all supporting evidence and documentation so it can be reviewed by a workers’ compensation attorney who can help you throughout the claims process. Additional Resources How Can I Settle a Workers’ Compensation Claim? What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?