(864) 582-0416 If your doctor wants guidance in assessing your South Carolina workers’ comp injury for a permanent impairment rating or your permanent work restrictions, he might send you for a functional capacity evaluation, or FCE.
Generally, it’s an exhaustive set of physical tests, usually given and scored by a physical therapist. Here’s what you need to know about FCEs.
The doctor uses the results for two crucial reasons that can have a big impact on your South Carolina workers’ comp case:
The results can help determine if you’re eligible for extra financial benefits for permanent and total disability and wage loss. In the right case, restrictions from an FCE can be used to overcome low impairment ratings to secure a settlement for much higher benefits, if you’ve got a skilled workers’ compensation attorney.
If you need an FCE, you’ve got a serious case the insurance company will fight seriously. Show them you’re serious, too. Find out how to protect your rights in a free*, no pressure strategy session with a Spartanburg, SC workers’ comp attorney. Call toll free at (864) 582-0416 or fill out a Get Help Now form.
There are generally three main purposes for the tester:
Before moving on to the specific aspects of the test, there’s one vital thing you’ve got to remember.
Exerting good effort is vital. These tests have built-in “lie detectors” that’ll expose deceptively low effort by you. Don’t try it. You’ll be smoked out, and it’ll ruin your case.
Now let’s turn to the tests and info used for the evaluation.
The evaluator will test your ability to do the following, noting the maximum amount you can do:
This evaluates for things like:
You might even do a treadmill test. This checks your ability to walk for time and distance. The evaluator observes your posture and ability to walk without a limp. The test measures how long you’re able to do the task before it hurts too much or you run out of breath or energy.
The evaluator also interviews you about important points in your injury like:
With the exception of living with a permanent injury from an accident, your FCE may be the most difficult physical part of your case. But it’s only part of the challenge you face. If you’re severely injured enough to require an FCE, there’s a lot at stake for you legally too. Just as you got doctors to protect your body medically, it’s time to ask a lawyer about protecting your rights legally. You only get one chance at your case, so don’t risk ending it with regrets.
If you’ve got questions about your case, feel free to start a live chat right where you are so an experienced attorney can respond to your concerns.
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