[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/how-functional-capacity-evaluations-impact-workers-compensation-benefits\/","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/how-functional-capacity-evaluations-impact-workers-compensation-benefits\/","name":"How Functional Capacity Evaluations Impact Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits","headline":"How Functional Capacity Evaluations Impact Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits","articleBody":"During a workers\u2019 compensation case, an employer or medical provider may request that an injured employee undergo a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) to determine whether they can return to work. An FCE can show whether an employee can return to their pre-injury occupation after a work injury.\u00a0\u00a0What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?In a functional capacity evaluation, a person undergoes a series of tests that evaluate their physical abilities related to their job duties. The tests will have them perform actions like pulling, pushing, stair climbing, or lifting. A physical therapist or other healthcare professional will observe their performance to record data and use that information to assess their physical condition. The result of an FCE will determine whether the employee can return to work after a job injury or occupational illness and whether they require any special accommodations or restrictions while working.\u00a0What Happens During a Functional Capacity Exam?During a functional capacity exam, an injured worker will perform various tests or exercises designed to replicate motions they would perform at work. An examiner tailors the FCE to approximate the worker\u2019s duties at their current or prior jobs.\u00a0Standard tests performed during an FCE include:Lifting strength testPush-and-pull testGrip and pinch strength testRange-of-motion testsAn FCE usually takes one to two days, each lasting four to eight hours. The length of the FCE will depend on the tests performed and whether the worker needs to take breaks to rest, use the restroom, or eat meals.\u00a0How Can FCE Results Affect My Workers\u2019 Compensation Claim?Employers and workers\u2019 compensation insurers typically have injured employees undergo FCEs to determine whether they\u2019ve recovered enough to return to work and need accommodations or light-duty restrictions. The results of an FCE are important because they can affect an employee\u2019s disability rating, which determines the amount of workers\u2019 compensation benefits they receive.If an employee cannot return to their pre-injury occupation and the employer cannot accommodate the recommended restrictions, the employee would then be entitled to another kind of workers\u2019 compensation benefit: vocational rehabilitation.\u00a0\u00a0When FCE findings show that an employee has regained the capacity to perform some work, the employer or their insurance company may seek to terminate or reduce their temporary disability benefits and order them back to work. An FCE can also affect an employee\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation settlement by determining their degree of permanent disability after they reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).\u00a0Keep in mind that examiners look for signs that employees are exaggerating their injuries during testing. If they suspect a person overstates their pain or the extent of their incapacity, it will be noted on the results and could damage their workers\u2019 compensation claim. An injured worker\u2019s heart rate is often monitored during the test to judge whether there is full effort and participation.\u00a0 For this reason, you should always do your best during an FCE.\u00a0Need Help Understanding Your FCE Results? Contact a Maryland Workers\u2019 Compensation Lawyer TodayDo you have questions about how your FCE results could impact your workers\u2019 compensation settlement? Contact a Maryland workers\u2019 compensation attorney from Trollinger Law LLC today for a free consultation.\u00a0","description":"During a workers\u2019 compensation case, an employer or medical provider may request that an injured employee undergo a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) to determine whether they can return to work. An FCE can show whether an employee can return to their pre-injury occupation after a work injury.\u00a0\u00a0 What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation? In a functional capacity evaluation, a person undergoes a series of tests that evaluate their physical abilities related to their job duties. The tests will have them perform actions like pulling, pushing, stair climbing, or lifting. A physical therapist or other healthcare professional will observe their performance...","about":"Workers' Compensation","datePublished":"2024-10-25","wordCount":528,"dateModified":"2025-05-19","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Logo-Header-1.svg","height":0,"width":0,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Logo-Header-1.svg"},"name":"Trollinger Law LLC","@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/how-functional-capacity-evaluations-impact-workers-compensation-benefits\/#Organization1"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-Functional-Capacity-Evaluations-Impact-Workers-Compensation-Benefits.png","height":600,"width":800,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-Functional-Capacity-Evaluations-Impact-Workers-Compensation-Benefits.png"},"author":{"@type":"Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fecba0beea03ea549751c6d96abc8968?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96,"@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fecba0beea03ea549751c6d96abc8968?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"url":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/author\/trollingerlaw\/","name":"Trollinger Law LLC","identifier":8,"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/author\/trollingerlaw\/#Person"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/how-functional-capacity-evaluations-impact-workers-compensation-benefits\/#BlogPosting"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Functional Capacity Evaluations Impact Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits","item":"https:\/\/www.trollingerlaw.com\/blog\/how-functional-capacity-evaluations-impact-workers-compensation-benefits\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]