Why are FCEs needed to quantify pain and suffering?

Published on September 21, 2025

An FCE or Functional Capacity Evaluation is a battery of tests to assess one’s physical functioning. It typically is around 4-5 hours of physical tests based on standardized protocol to assess one’s ability to lift, carry, push, pull, walk, sit, stand. The standardization assures the court that the methodologies are peer reviewed and adheres to proper methodology as required by the Daubert standard. An FCE also assesses balance and other functional activities such as crawling, crouching, stooping, reaching, foot control, hand and finger strength etc.  which all can be affected with auto accident related back pain. Endurance is also examined as well as these could be affected by pain or poor posture arising from back injuries. 

So which one is better to describe a client’s injury to a jury? 

A report indicating an impairment rating of 10% due to a lumbar disc herniation. 

OR

An FCE from a physical therapist that describes the following: 

Can lift up to a maximum of 12 pounds occasionally 

Can sit at one time without pain for 18 minutes

Can stand at one time without pain for 11 minutes

Scored at the 4th percentile on single leg stance affecting the client’s balance

Scored < 0.1 percentile on dynamic stooping test putting the client in the poor range and affecting their ability to pick up objects below their waist  

As you can see an FCE helps quantify pain and suffering to tell the full story of how an injury affects their day to day life.