Stephen Schultz | October 22, 2026 | Workers' Compensation
If you have been receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Missouri after a workplace injury, there is a good chance your employer’s insurance company will eventually ask you to undergo a Functional Capacity Evaluation. Known as an FCE, this test plays a major role in determining what happens next with your claim.
Many injured workers feel anxious about the FCE because they do not fully comprehend what it involves and how the results will be used. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can help you prepare and avoid mistakes that could put your benefits at risk.
What Exactly Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
An FCE is a comprehensive physical assessment designed to measure your ability to perform work-related tasks. It is usually given in the context of a workers’ comp claim. The evaluation is typically administered by a licensed physical or occupational therapist and normally lasts a few hours.
During the evaluation, the examiner will ask you to perform a range of physical activities. These may include:
- Lifting objects of varying weight from different heights
- Sustained sitting and standing over timed intervals
- Walking, bending, reaching, and crouching
- Grip strength and hand dexterity exercises
- Pushing and pulling resistance tasks
The examiner will observe how you move throughout the test, noting any signs of physical limitation or discomfort. They will also look for consistency between your reported symptoms and your demonstrated abilities.
Why Does the Insurance Company Want Me To Take an FCE?
In Missouri workers’ compensation cases, insurance companies may request an FCE to better understand your physical abilities and whether you can return to work. The results provide evidence about your limitations and may affect decisions about your benefits.
An FCE can also help your doctor evaluate your work restrictions and determine whether you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). This means your condition is unlikely to improve significantly with further treatment. Once you reach MMI, your claim may shift toward evaluating permanent disability benefits or a possible settlement.
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 287.190, objective medical findings take priority over subjective findings when medical opinions conflict. Because an FCE documents your physical performance, its results may influence how your disability is evaluated.
How Should I Prepare for My FCE?
Approaching the evaluation with the right mindset is important.
Below are a few steps to keep in mind as your test date approaches:
- Be honest about your limitations. Attempting to exaggerate your symptoms during the test can backfire.
- Do not push yourself beyond your actual physical capacity. Conversely, trying to power through pain to appear stronger than you are could result in an assessment that overstates your ability to return to work.
- Get a full night of rest before the evaluation. Physical fatigue can skew your test performance and may not accurately reflect your day-to-day capabilities.
You should also bring any assistive devices you normally use, such as a brace or walking aid, so the examiner can assess your function under realistic conditions.
Can I Challenge FCE Results in Missouri?
If your FCE results do not accurately reflect your physical limitations, you may be able to challenge them with additional medical evidence. Your treating physician’s opinion, medical records, and other evaluations may help explain differences between the test findings and your condition.
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 287.390, certain workers have 12 months to obtain a disability rating from a physician of their choosing after receiving the employer’s rating in connection with a proposed settlement following maximum medical improvement.
A workers’ compensation attorney can review your results, explain whether this provision applies, and help you determine the next steps.
Contact the Ladue Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
An FCE can influence decisions about your work restrictions, disability benefits, and the future of your workers’ compensation claim. Understanding how the evaluation may affect your case can help you prepare and protect your interests.
The Ladue workers’ compensation attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can review your FCE results, address disputes with the insurance company, and explain your options under Missouri law. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Ladue workers’ compensation lawyer.
We proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
319 N 4th Street, Suite 835, St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502, Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 702-3285
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr, St. Louis, MO 63124
(314) 912-3302
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 350-4021
