A Functional Capacity Evaluation or FCE is a test that is designed to measure your ability to perform certain work tasks. It comes up in Illinois work comp cases when it appears that you will need restrictions on how much you lift, carry, sit stand or perform other tasks. It is an objective test that measures your true abilities as compared to any subjective complaints that you might have.

The test can take hours. One way they measure your true ability is by having you lift items that weigh the same, but look very different. That could be based on size or how they are labeled or even what you are told. The idea is to test how valid your performance is. If the test provider notices that you are being inconsistent with your effort, they will state that you failed the FCE. That is a big deal.

The test provider is usually a physical or occupational therapist. Before we go on with what a failed FCE means for you, let’s talk about the exam itself. While an IME measures your medical condition, a FCE is a test of what you can physically do. During the FCE, you will be asked to do some tasks that you would do in your normal job such as:

  • Walking – to test your endurance.
  • Lifting different objects – this is a big one to assess how safely you can do your job.
  • Pushing and pulling – to determine upper body strength.
  • Sitting – to see how long you can do this without discomfort.
  • Standing – relevant for endurance and comfort.
  • Balance tests – to check coordination and stability.
  • Crawling and climbing – to see how you work in tight spaces and also check coordination.
  • Grabbing and use of hands – to test strength and dexterity.

This is not a test that you can game or cheat. You will often be tested on things you do not even know they are checking. It’s a rather scientific test. When the test is over, it is possible you will have a failed designation. That can mean one of two things.

The first thing it can mean is that you performed so poorly that you are not physically capable of returning to your job. This may mean that you need more medical care or that you will never return to that old line of work.

The second thing it can mean is that you failed due to inconsistent effort. As stated, the test is objective. If you are trying at some parts, but not at others, they are essentially saying that you are faking your problem at times. If they can’t fully measure what you can and can not do, they can not provide an accurate report.

The end result could be that you benefits get cut off or suspended. What happens after that depends on what the report says and what your explanation is. You do have a right to challenge the findings, especially if the FCE provider was chosen by the insurance company. There could be a simple explanation that as the day went on, you became more tired, although the test can measure for that too.

If you are going to a FCE, we highly recommend that you talk to your lawyer about it ahead of time. And if you do not yet have a lawyer you should get one ASAP. These tests only happen to people who have very serious work injuries. If your benefits get cut off because of it, it could cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in the end. An experienced Illinois work comp attorney can protect you.

If you would like a FREE consultation about your case, please contact us any time at 312-346-5578. We have a state wide network of top attorneys and will do whatever we can to protect you.