Services:
FUNCTIONAL
CAPACITY
EVALUATION

Functional Capacity Evaluations

The purpose of Medical Legal Experts Inc. Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is to identify the worker’s physical capabilities and the expected critical demands of the job. We created an objective exam to identify and rate any work limitations, with the goal of returning the worker back to work safely

Workplace Safety

Since 1998, Medical Legal Experts created safe working environments, prevented injuries and improved productivity with Ergonomics, Employment Screenings, Fit for Duty and Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE).

Identify Worker’s Physical Capabilities & Work Restrictions

The Medical Legal Experts Inc. Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) identifies if any work restrictions are required and closely works with the employer, insurance company or nurse case manager to determine if alternate job duties are available.

If the employee cannot be accommodated and returned to work, than a job retraining program including vocational rehabilitation may be considered. If all fails and the workers are not capable of gainful employment, then the financial impact is shared by insurance carriers, the employers, and job economy. Essentially, the financial impact of industrial injuries and the loss of productive employees affect all of us. The Medical Legal Experts Inc. Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) can also be used to determine if the patient has an impairment and if any disability persists.

It is important to recognize the subtle difference between impairment and disability. The two terms are closely related and commonly used interchangeably in the medical community, but a distinct difference does exist.

Learn about our additional services:
Return to Work Evaluations: how to create a safe return to the workplace for an injured worker.
Ergonomics: Keep your employee working in a safe environment with proper biomechanics.
Pre-Employment Screening: know who’s a risk before you hire.
Qualified Medical Evaluations: when you need to request this independent exam, who will perform the QME and which QME doctor to select.

ARE WORK RESTRICTIONS OR MODIFIED
DUTY REQUIRED?

WHEN IS A WORKER READY TO RETURN
TO WORK SAFELY?

Stages of Prevention

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) separates preventive medicine into three stages. The Functional Capacity Evaluation can be performed during all three of these stages.

I. PRIMARY PREVENTION

Reduces Risk Factors Associated With Occupational Injury.

Pre-employment Screenings Ergonomic Evaluations.
The primary prevention stage focuses on the elimination of exposure to risk factors associated with injury. Emphasis is placed on the essential functions for the specific occupation. This includes physical risk factors such as force, repetition, posture, vibration, range of motion, muscle strength, grip strength, lift capacity, lighting, and work station design.

Pre-employment Screenings Eliminate the Risk.
In this stage, on-site functional capacity evaluation of essential functions of the job is performed. Key risk factors associated with a high risk of injury are isolated. Once these factors are identified, they can be broken down into specific body mechanics and calculations of the exact force, time, and motion required to perform the duty safely.

Data can be used to personalize a pre-employment functional capacity evaluation program specific to the occupation. This enables examiner to test prospective employees on-site, in a laboratory, or anywhere in the world. Results of the examination are compared to normative data specific for age and gender.

The recommendations of the physical examination are reported to the employer in strict confidence using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

Ergonomic Evaluations Reduce the Risk.
Once the essential functions information is gathered, one can propose a strategic plan to reduce risk to current employees. At this stage we recommend protective measures. Person to job fit will reduce occupational health concerns and the cost of lost productivity due to illness and injury as well as related medical costs.

II. SECONDARY PREVENTION

Secondary prevention consists of detection programs to identify early signs and symptoms of injury, and intervention to avoid re-injury or permanent impairment.

Periodic re-examinations, identical to the pre-employment functional capacity evaluation exams, can identify the early physical signs and activate an appropriate treatment protocol. This includes work modifications, back school, and/or medical treatment, including additional functional restoration programs.

III. TERTIARY PREVENTION

This stage deals with pro-active care to accommodate the employee, to prevent re-injury, and to minimize cost.

Functional Capacity Evaluations

Accommodating patient can be in the form of work restrictions or modified duties. This is where a custom functional capacity evaluation is imperative to identify if any work restrictions are required. The functional capacity evaluation examiner works closely works with the employer or nurse case manager to determine if alternate job duties are available. If the employee cannot be accommodated and returned to work, than a job retraining program including vocational rehabilitation may be considered. If all fails and the workers are not capable of gainful employment, then the financial impact is shared by insurance carriers, employers, and job economy. Essentially, the financial impact of industrial injuries and loss of productive employees affect all of us.

Functional Capacity Evaluation Medical Legal

“Secondary prevention involves working in partnership with the worker and employer.”