What is a FCE?
If you have a serious injury, at some point you will likely be scheduled for a functional capacity evaluation (FCE). It's typically a test ordered by a doctor right before they are going to discharge you from their care. It is used to detail what restrictions you need when you return to work.
If you are an injured teacher or sit at a desk all day, a FCE probably isn't needed. But if you are a laborer, flight attendant, mechanic, etc. and you can't lift, bend, stand or move like you used to, then a FCE is a great tool to determine what exactly you can do.
The beauty of a FCE is that it can objectively measure if you are being honest about your limitations. You don't realize it, but during the test they will have you do the same thing over and over, but in different ways. So part of the test measures your abilities and part of it measures your honesty. If you are honest, the test will work out for you. If you exaggerate what is wrong, you could screw up the whole case.
At the end of the exam you likely will be sore, tired (it usually lasts a couple hours) and will have a real idea of what you can and can't do. As attorneys we love these tests because they lend great credibility to what our clients tell us.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
