What You Should Know Before Taking an FCE Test

If you’ve suffered an injury that has stopped you from going to work, you may need to take a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). An FCE is a test administered by a medical professional to determine if your injury has healed to the point where you can return to work and perform workplace duties.

An FCE test may also be used to find out if you qualify for disability payments. At John Foy & Associates, our Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers have worked with countless clients who have taken FCE tests after a work accident. We can help you recover the benefits you deserve and educate you on what you should know before taking an FCE test.

What Happens During an FCE Test?

If you’re scheduled to take an FCE test after sustaining a workplace injury, you’ll probably want to know what happens during such an evaluation. FCE tests generally last a few hours and include a number of exercises. During your test, a physical therapist will ask you to perform exercises to evaluate your physical strength and identify any weak points.

Here are some of the exercises you may be required to perform during a test:

• Functional exercises that test your ability to push, carry, lift, and pull
• Dexterity exercises that test your ability to kneel, stand, walk, squat, crawl, balance, bend, stand, and sit
• Exercises designed to measure your range of motion and strength in the areas affected by your injury

If you feel pain or fatigue during any of the above-mentioned exercises, don’t push yourself too hard. Doing so could cause you to reinjure the affected area, making matters even worse. Instead, simply let the evaluator know how you’re feeling, and they’ll include the information you provide in their final report.

What Is an FCE Report?

While you are performing the exercises included in your FCE test, your evaluator will be taking notes for your FCE report. Once completed, the report will include information pertaining to the workplace duties that you are physically capable of performing. It will also list any of the duties that you are restricted from performing. 

Based on your job description and your FCE test performance, your evaluator will recommend whether or not you are able to return to work. A report can also be used to determine if you are eligible for workers’ comp benefits.

Can I Fail an FCE Test?

While an evaluator might not use the term “fail” in an FCE report, they may conclude that you didn’t give maximum effort during the test. Giving your maximum effort during the exercises included in an FCE test is important because the evaluator needs to see what you are capable of. If you don’t give it your best shot, the evaluator can’t write an accurate report.

Should I Physically Prepare for My FCE Test?

You won’t have to do anything physically to prepare for your FCE test. That said, you’ll want to review the information included in this article to get an idea of what to expect from your test. Learning about what you should know before taking an FCE test can ensure you give your best effort during the evaluation.

Can I Refuse an FCE Test?

While you have the right to refuse an FCE test, it might not be the best decision if you are looking to get back to work or are applying for disability benefits. In many cases, an FCE report is required to determine if you are eligible for benefits or if you are physically capable of returning to work.

Bring a List of Symptoms to Your FCE Test

To ensure your FCE test results are as accurate as possible, you’ll want to give your evaluator the context they need to understand your current physical condition. To do so, prepare a list of your current physical symptoms and the limitations they place on activities you were capable of completing pre-injury.

It can also be helpful to make a note of any pre-existing injuries you have so your evaluator is able to understand your current injury and overall physical condition as fully as possible.

How an Attorney Can Help You After Your FCE Test

Once you’ve completed your FCE test, you may need the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney. A lawyer can use your test results and other forms of evidence to obtain disability benefits and other helpful forms of compensation.

If your workers’ comp claim is successful, you could receive any of the following benefits:

• Medical benefits
• Temporary total disability benefits
• Temporary partial disability benefits
• Permanent partial disability benefits 
• Permanent total disability benefits

These benefits can provide the compensation you need to cover medical costs associated with your work injury and allow you to support yourself while you recover from your injury. If you’ve suffered a permanent disability, these benefits can also help you manage your condition and stay financially stable despite your disability.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney Today

Now that you’re familiar with what you should know before taking an FCE test, it’s time to get the legal help you need to file a successful disability claim. Whether you are pursuing disability benefits through a workers’ comp claim, a Social Security Disability application, or both, John Foy & Associates can help you succeed.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate and experienced lawyer. They’ll meet with you to discuss your injury, answer any questions you have about FCE testing, and help you explore your options for pursuing compensation. We look forward to hearing from you soon and helping you on your recovery journey.