If you are injured on the job in North Carolina, you may eventually be required to undergo a functional capacity evaluation (FCE). This examination is the most common test used to determine whether an injured worker has permanent restrictions on their ability to work. A doctor may order an injured worker to undergo an FCE when the treating physician decides the worker has reached maximum medical improvement. The exam is a crucial aspect of many workers’ compensation cases involving long-term injuries.
However, the outcomes of FCEs in workers’ compensation cases often don’t benefit the injured workers. A doctor may question whether the worker has permanent restrictions, or an insurer may dispute the extent of impairment of a worker’s physical abilities. An experienced FCE workers’ comp lawyer can make sure that the test results are properly analyzed and that the actions of the employer’s insurance company are in line with your doctor’s recommendations.
What Is an FCE in Workers’ Comp?
An FCE workers’ comp evaluation is a set of diagnostic tests used to determine a worker’s disability rating and work limitations when a doctor decides that an injured employee has recovered to the extent possible from a work-related injury and reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). The purpose of an FCE is to find out how your injuries will affect your ability to meet your job demands.
In general, there are three possible outcomes following a worker undergoing an FCE workers’ compensation evaluation:
- The FCE could find that you are unable to return to work in any capacity, and you will continue to receive workers’ comp benefits.
- Second, the FCE could find that you can return to work in a limited capacity, and your benefits may be reduced accordingly.
- Third, the FCE could find that you can return to work without any restrictions on your job duties, and your benefits will likely be discontinued.
Employers and their insurance providers often speak about FCEs as if they serve to protect the injured workers’ best interests. However, it’s essential to note that the primary objective of workers’ compensation is to return the injured employee to work, allowing their benefits to be reduced or terminated.
When Is an FCE Required in NC Workers’ Compensation Cases?
An FCE is typically required in NC workers’ compensation cases once an employee has reached maximum medical improvement, but has not fully recovered from their workplace injuries. Their treating doctors believe that further treatment will not lead to further improvement in their condition.
Once an employee reaches this point in their treatment, the doctor will make a medical assessment of the worker’s long-term capabilities and restrictions. An insurance company may question the extent of a worker’s on-the-job injury and need for future medical care. The insurer may request that the worker undergo an FCE to assess whether the worker has limitations in their ability to perform work-related tasks. The FCE determines what physical actions the employee is capable of performing. The test results are sent to the treating physician, who will decide whether the evaluation provides enough information to assign work restrictions.
If an insurance carrier requests that you undergo an FCE, it usually means that they have questions about the severity or extent of your injuries. For example, they may request an FCE if they believe you have recovered sufficiently to return to work, even if you don’t think that’s the case. You should contact an FCE evaluation workers’ compensation lawyer if an FCE is requested in your case.
What to Expect During Your Functional Capacity Evaluation
Your FCE will begin with medical professionals reviewing your medical history, the type of injury you sustained, and your current pain levels. This helps them understand the broad scope of your work injury and the types of tests that are relevant to your case.
Following the initial questions, you’ll undergo a physical screening to assess your general fitness. This includes checking your range of motion and physical strength in the affected body part, and how the injury affects you while sitting and standing.
Then, you’ll be asked to complete specific physical activities related to your job duties. This may involve assessing a worker’s ability to pick up and carry objects, walk in a straight line, go up and down stairs, and handle other physical demands.
The healthcare provider handling the testing will record how easily you completed various tasks and your pain levels while doing so.
How FCE Results Impact Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The results of your FCE can have a significant impact on your workers’ compensation benefits. In most cases, undergoing an FCE means your recovery has reached a plateau and your health has stabilized. Your employer’s insurance provider may use the FCE results to try to terminate your workers’ compensation medical benefits by claiming further medical treatment is no longer necessary.
Another way your FCE can affect your benefits is by leading to the reduction or termination of your lost wage benefits. If you are cleared to return to work in a limited capacity following your FCE, your wage loss benefits will be reduced according to your new average weekly wage. If you are cleared to return to work without restrictions, your wage loss benefits will be terminated entirely by the insurer.
Depending on your test results, the FCE can provide evidence supporting your workers’ comp claim to continue benefits. For example, the insurance provider may have wanted to terminate your benefits. But because your doctor issued work restrictions based on your FCE, you may continue to receive certain workers’ comp benefits.
How Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers Can Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers has more than 40 years of experience fighting for the rights of workers injured on the job in North Carolina. Over the decades, our dedicated attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including $2 million for a worker who sustained severe injuries in a forklift accident and $1.5 million for a worker who sustained paralyzing spinal injuries after falling from a roof.
Our commitment to providing clients with the best possible support in their workers’ compensation claims is why we routinely receive positive reviews and testimonials, such as this one:
“Great Service! These guys fought hard for my injury claim and got me what I needed for my medical needs going forward. Please don’t deal with Workers’ Compensation on your own. It’s too complicated, and you will never get what you deserve alone.” – T.T.
If you have injured on the job in North Carolina, contact our law firm for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We’ll help you understand your rights and how an FCE for workers’ compensation test could affect your claim.
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