Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) are about resolving cases. They are utilized by personal injury lawyers, employers, employment agencies, and insurance companies to determine the functional capabilities and limitations of a particular individual. These functional capabilities are typically physical, but may also include cognitive elements, when appropriate, such as in the case of traumatic brain injuries. The attributes normally assessed during an Functional Capacity Evaluation include:
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When appropriate for the individual being assessed, cognitive testing (memory, attention, and problem solving) and/or a work simulation circuit including prolonged positional testing is included. Many of the tests comprising an Functional Capacity Evaluation are recognized standardized tests and have been peer reviewed for their validity and reliability and are associated with industry standards.
A personal injury lawyer may request a Functional Capacity Evaluation to establish the extent of the disability of his or her client in order to resolve their case and achieve a fair settlement for the injuries sustained by their client. These types of FCEs are referred to as Medical/Legal Functional Capacity Evaluations and often are commonly requested along with another report called a Future Cost of Care Assessment. A Medical Legal FCE can involve an extensive review of medical documentation. Moreover, should a settlement not be reached before trial, the FCE evaluator may be called as an expert witness to defend their assessment.
An insurance company may request a Functional Capacity Evaluation to determine if an injured worker who has been off work and on either long term or short term benefits, can return to their previous position i.e. meet the physical and/or cognitive demands of the position. If the worker is not able to meet the physical and/or cognitive demands of their previous occupation, the case manager representing the insurance company may ask what types of work the individual is capable of. Moreover, the case manager may ask for recommendations from the evaluator in order to facilitate a return to work. These recommendations may include a graduated return to work plan, an active rehabilitation program, and special equipment and/or accommodations in the workplace.
A case manger may also simply want to know what their client’s abilities and limitations are without regard to a specific job. This is commonly referred to as a Baseline Functional Capacity Evaluation and involves evaluating an individual’s ability to perform on 20 core functional capacity tests.
Peak Kinesiology tailors their Functional Capacity Evaluations to the specific referral questions the case manager, employer, or lawyer want answered.
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