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Functional Capacity Evaluations

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) are used to determine an individual’s ability to work following an injury. A FCE may also be used to determine physical capacities because of a divorce. Beacon Rehab performs evaluations that investigate physical (measuring both upper and lower extremities) and behavioral detail of functional capacity to determine an evaluee’s ability to perform the essential functions of an occupation, using the One-Stop Damage Expert Process.

Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator

Ron Smolarski is a Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator with over 37 years of professional experience. His testing protocols are based on peer-reviewed research of functional capacity evaluations. The workers capacities are compared to those of the general working population and the results will provide data as to what the evaluee is able to perform at a competitive and sustained rate.

Lower Extremities Testing
Upper Extremities Testing

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation is performed at the request of a physician, attorney, insurance adjuster, or employer for the purposes of understanding an individual’s ability to work following an injury or to determine an evaluee’s physical capacity during a divorce proceeding. FCEs review the worker trait capacities, derived by U.S. Department of Labor standards and what a worker can perform at a competitive and sustained rate. Measurements are determined by weight/force position, and pace criteria at a full range of motion. The worker’s capacities are compared to those of the general working population.

What does a Functional Capacity Evaluation cover?

During an FCE, Beacon Rehab will evaluate several important worker traits to fully understand your client’s/claimant’s functional capacities. Here are some of the main points of a functional capacity evaluation:

  • lifting at a full range of motion and at a competitive and sustained rate
  • finger dexterity at a full range of motion and at a competitive and sustained rate
  • manual dexterity at a full range of motion and a competitive and sustained rate
  • motor coordination at a full range of motion and at a competitive and sustained rate
  • pain tolerances
  • motivation
  • test scores are triangulated to determine an evaluee’s test reliability.

What is the goal of a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

Following a physical /neurological injury or during a divorce, the evaluation determines:

  • Ability to work at a competitive and sustained rate within the world of work and its occupations
  • Ability to work with or without modifications full-time or less than full-time
  • Unable to work at competitive work and limited to noncompetitive work or recreation activities
  • A thorough FCE is an objective, standardized way to obtain important facts about an evaluee’s ability to work at a competitive and sustained rate and comparing the results to the general working population.

Beacon Rehab is a One Stop Damage Expert, providing efficient and effective outcomes through vocational evaluations, life care planning, medical projections, forensic economic evaluations and functional capacity evaluations.

“I call Ron every time I need someone to comment on Future Disability or Economic Loss. He is the best.”

-Ethan Vessels
Attorney at Law
Ohio