Functional Capacity Evaluations in Illinois
Beacon Rehab, a Proven Damages Expert Supporting Illinois Cases of Personal Injury
We offer functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) in Illinois backed by over forty years of experience, giving you the measurable, well-documented proof you need to support your client’s claim.
Call us today at (734) 665-8326 or send us a message to request an evaluation.
Beacon Rehabilitation in Illinois
Beacon Rehabilitation serves the communities in the state of Illinois and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Service Area – Illinois
Contact
- Phone: (734) 665-8326
- Fax: 734-665-2584
- Email: ron@beaconrehab.com
Business Hours
- Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Social Media
About Beacon Rehab
Beacon Rehab is your one-stop damage expert providing nationwide services. Our comprehensive approach includes life care planning, forensic economic evaluations, vocational evaluations, functional capacity evaluations, and Day-and-a-Life Filming.
The company was founded by Ronald Smolarski, who works with both plaintiff and defense personal injury attorneys. Mr. Smolarski has worked as a Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator for over forty years, offering testing protocols based on peer-reviewed research to provide defensible damages.
His credentials include the following:
- Certified Life Care Planner
- Forensic Economist (CEA)
- Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator /Certified Disability Examiner II
- Certified Vocational Evaluator
- Diplomate – American Board of Vocational Experts
- Diplomate – Certified Rehabilitation Vocationologist
- Diplomate – American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and Psychodiagnosticians
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Certified International Psychometric Evaluator
- Certified Case Manager
» Mr. Smolarski’s full Vitae (PDF File)
Why Choose Beacon Rehab for Functional Capacity Evaluations in Illinois?
Here’s why you should choose Beacon Rehab for your functional capacity evaluations in Illinois.
- Over forty years of experience producing defensible damages
- Recognition as a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator, and International Psychometric Evaluation Certification
- Ongoing involvement in industry-leading associations, including the National Association of Disability Evaluating Professionals, American Rehabilitation Economic Association, and Association of Certified Life Care Planners
- Published in respected industry publications such as the Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis (ABVE)
- United States Air Force veteran
Call us today at (734) 665-8326 or send us a message to request an evaluation.
Testimonials
Christopher Cooke
“Ron Smolarski did a great job calculating the economic damages from the perspectives of lost economic opportunity and life care planning in a product liability and degloving amputation case. His expertise allowed the jury to understand the degree and extent of my client’s severe injuries, rendering a verdict of $27 million that compensated my client for his damages. Ron made himself available after hours during the course of the trial to answer my questions, which was very beneficial to the success of the case.”
George E. Potter
Attorney at Law
“Ron’s assistance in helping me prepare cross-examination was superb. He provided the most thorough job of evaluation I’ve ever seen from any rehabilitation consultant and made a major difference when it came to destroying my adversary’s case.”
Geoffrey Rettig
Attorney at Law
“Analysis was very in-depth. The depth was what made the difference. It made the case viable in the eyes of the skeptical adjuster. A true expert in his field. Unbiased and objective.”
J. Dallas Winegarden, Jr.
Attorney at Law
“Mr. Smolarski’s powerful presentation makes the case try itself as far as damages are concerned. He’s a superb Expert Witness.”
Wendy Schiller-Nichols
Attorney at Law
“Mr. Smolarski made a difference in my case that settled for over a million dollars. He was very experienced, professional, and testified well. I would definitely use him again in the future in my personal injury cases.”
We Work With
Personal Injury Attorneys/Lawyers
Beacon Rehab is a damage expert supporting plaintiff and defense personal injury attorneys. We provide comprehensive reports that illustrate, in clear terms, your client’s worker traits, aptitude, achievement levels, physical capabilities, and environment tolerances.
Services
Our one-stop damage expert approach includes:
Life Care Planning
A life care plan shows what your client’s future medical care will actually cost. We capture the purpose, frequency, duration, and geographic costs of an injured individual’s medical care needs to produce an exhaustive report.
Learn More
Future Medical Cost Projections
Future medical cost projections are often the best approach when a matter is heading toward mediation or settlement. Unlike life care plans, they can be produced internally without coordinating with external professionals, which keeps the total investment in the case more economical.
Learn More
Functional Capacity Evaluations
An FCE shows whether your client can work at a competitive rate, at full range of motion, and at a sustained rate after an injury. It is also used to document physical capacity in cases like divorce.
Learn More
Vocational Evaluations
Through objective testing, a vocational evaluation measures wage-earning capacity and assesses both current and future employability.
Learn MoreWhat Does an Evaluation Cover?
A functional capacity evaluation typically covers the following:
- Lifting capacity, measured at a full range of motion and at a productive, sustained pace
- Finger dexterity, tested under the same conditions
- Manual dexterity, tested under the same conditions
- Motor coordination, tested under the same conditions
- Tolerance for pain during physical effort
- Engagement and motivation throughout the session
- Cross-checks of test scores to confirm the evaluee’s results are reliable
Our Methodology & Process
We base our testing on peer-reviewed research of functional capacity evaluations and look at both the physical and behavioral aspects of an individual’s capacities.
On the physical side, we take measurements of the upper body and lower body. On the behavioral side, we analyze how your client/claimant responds during the test. The goal is to determine if they can perform the core tasks of an occupation. Then we compare your client’s results to the general working population, so you have a clear baseline for your case.
The Importance of Functional Capacity Evaluations
A doctor, attorney, insurance adjuster, or employer may ask for an FCE when there is a question about whether a person can work after an injury, or when physical ability needs to be measured in a divorce case.
FCEs are especially useful in legal cases where the outcome depends on clearly defining a person’s abilities or limitations.
What Does a Functional Capacity Evaluation Look Like?
After a physical or neurological injury, or in a divorce case, our functional capacity evaluations in Illinois answer the following:
- Whether your client can work a regular job at a normal pace
- Whether your client can work full-time or part-time, with or without modifications
- Whether your client cannot handle a regular job and is limited to lighter work or recreation
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Capacity Evaluations in Illinois
Below are some common questions personal injury attorneys ask about FCE.
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What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
An FCE is a set of physical and behavioral tests designed to show whether a person can perform the core tasks of a job. Doctors, attorneys, insurance adjusters, and employers typically request one when there is a need to understand whether someone can work after an injury or when physical ability has to be measured in a divorce proceeding.
When you bring a case to Beacon Rehab, we examine both sides of functional capacity. We take physical measurements of the upper and lower body, and we also observe behavior during testing.
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How FCEs Are Used in Legal Proceedings
In personal injury, workers’ compensation, and disability cases, an FCE provides the kind of objective evidence that helps with settlement negotiations. FCEs are valuable for establishing clear and measurable damages.
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What Are the Components of an FCE?
The main areas we cover include lifting strength, finger dexterity, manual dexterity, pain tolerance, and effort and motivation during the session.
Our Latest Articles on Functional Capacity Evaluations
Determine Wage Loss/Wage Capacity and Household Chores for Mediation or Settlement Only
McCroskey MVQS Transferable Skills Software Program, Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis, Vol. 24 Winter
Scientific Method of Analyzing Occupations and Worker Trait Factor Analysis After a Worker Experiences an Injury
