OUR SERVICES

MEDICAL LEGAL ASSESSMENT

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE’s) are used by physicians, case managers, lawyers and employers.  FCE’s are the single most reliable measure to determine if a successful return-to-work is possible - as it is inherently a thorough and accurate evaluation process that documents an individual's residual physical abilities, level of effort expended during testing, reliability of reports of pain and limitation, and it is an overall gauge of feasibility for employment.

At Remerge Rehabilitation we are trained and skilled in Functional Capacity Evaluations and will use a battery of standardized tests, designed around key factors that include diagnosis, impairment, pain and functional limitation, referral questions, and, in some instances, the case resolution goal. FCE's value to the injured individual is the focus on functional ability instead of the pain limitation associated with an impairment. It considers speed, flexibility, endurance, skill and strength through the use of functional testing, MTM, and standardized measurements to assess job-fit status. Functional Capacity Evaluation is not only a useful clinical tool, but a baseline for industry-standard results that clearly define an individual's transition from injury to employment, and from disability to deployment.

A Job Demands Analysis (JDA) may be requested in conjunction with a Functional Capacity Evaluation to determine the physical demands associated with the worker's job. The JDA is a comprehensive assessment of the job tasks. This includes quantification (weights, frequency, and duration) of all work tasks

What is the length of service?

• An FCE is typically one to two days in length depending on the purpose of the assessment.

The field of life care planning is rapidly evolving in the United States, Canada and internationally. The Life Care Plan is a document that identifies the current and future care needs (i.e. medical, rehabilitation, equipment, home support needs) of individuals with a wide range of diagnoses (i.e. orthopaedic, brain injury, spinal cord injury, chronic pain etc.). The Life Care Plan is primarily used for litigation purposes in order to assist plaintiff and defense lawyers with identifying total cost of future care related to the individual’s disability” (Life Care Planning, 2008). “A life care plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis, and research. It provides an organized, concise plan for current and future needs, with associated costs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health needs.” (International Academy of Life Care Planners, 2002).

When can these services be used?

• Pre-mediation or pre-trial assessment

• Following a surgical procedure

• When the injury has stabilized and  rehabilitation’s plateaued

VOCATIONAL ASSESMENTS

A Vocational Assessment is the process of identifying and objectively assessing an individual's physical level of functioning, aptitudes, cognition, motivation, interest in relation to vocational employment selection.  We gather all the above information to determine if a previous career is attainable or a new line of work is more appropriate. 

A vocational skill analysis can determine lost wages, potential retraining or modified hours or duties required in the workplace.

Vocational Assessment can be used for:

• Personal Injury Cases

• Martial Dissolution Cases