Functional Capacity Evaluations in Ohio
Beacon Rehab, a Proven Damages Expert Supporting Ohio Cases of Personal Injury
With over forty years of experience behind every functional capacity evaluation (FCE) in Ohio, Beacon Rehab delivers the documentation your case requires through a proven one-stop damages approach.
Call us today at (734) 665-8326 or send us a message to request an evaluation.
Beacon Rehabilitation in Ohio
Beacon Rehabilitation is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just a short drive from Toledo, and welcomes clients from communities across Ohio.
Service Area – Ohio
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 was founded by Ronald Smolarski to serve as a single resource for plaintiff and defense personal injury attorneys requiring the expertise of an experienced damage expert. Beacon Rehab’s services include functional capacity evaluations, vocational evaluations, life care planning, forensic economic evaluations, and Day-in-the-Life Filming.
In addition, Mr. Smolarski has over forty years of experience as a Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator serving clients across the country and abroad, and anchors every protocol he applies in peer-reviewed research.
His professional qualifications include:
- 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 Ohio?
When you turn to Beacon Rehab for your functional capacity evaluations in Ohio, here is what you can expect.
- More than four decades of 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 like the Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis (ABVE)
- Proud to be a 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 works with both plaintiff and defense personal injury attorneys to provide them with comprehensive reports that illustrate, in clear terms, your client’s worker traits, aptitude, achievement levels, physical capabilities, and environment tolerances.
Services
Our comprehensive approach includes:
Life Care Planning
Each life care plan we produce captures purpose, frequency, duration, and geographic costs of an injured individual’s medical care needs.
Learn More
Future Medical Cost Projections
If a matter is heading toward mediation or settlement, future medical cost projections are often the best approach. Unlike a full life care plan, projections can be produced internally without coordinating with external professionals, and the total investment in the case is more economical.
Learn More
Functional Capacity Evaluations
FCEs help determine if someone can work at a competitive rate, at full range of motion, and at a sustained rate after their injury. It also has applications beyond personal injury, including divorce matters where physical capacity needs to be documented.
Learn More
Vocational Evaluations
Using objective testing, a vocational evaluation gauges wage-earning capacity and evaluates employability, both now and going forward.
Learn MoreWhat Does an Evaluation Cover?
A complete functional capacity evaluation in Ohio looks at the following:
- Lifting strength, evaluated across the full range of motion at a productive, sustained pace
- Finger dexterity, evaluated under those same parameters
- Manual dexterity, evaluated under those same parameters
- Motor coordination, evaluated under those same parameters
- Pain tolerance during physical exertion
- Effort and motivation maintained throughout the session
- Validity checks on test scores
Our Methodology & Process
Each protocol we rely on is based on peer-reviewed research in the FCE field, and the testing itself is structured around two main components.
On the physical side, we directly measure upper-body and lower-body function. On the behavioral side, we observe how your client conducts themselves throughout the session, including their handling of discomfort and the consistency of their effort.
When testing is done, your client’s/claimant’s performance is compared against the general working population. This comparison delivers a defined reference point. Whether the results indicate your client can meet essential job functions or fall below those demands, the answer you receive is grounded in defensible data.
The Importance of Functional Capacity Evaluations
An FCE may be requested by a doctor, attorney, insurance adjuster, or employer when there is doubt about whether a person can return to work after an injury, or when physical ability has to be quantified in a divorce case.
These evaluations prove to be particularly useful in legal cases where the outcome relies on a clear definition of a person’s capabilities or limitations.
What Does a Functional Capacity Evaluation Look Like?
Our evaluations are built to provide clarity in the wake of a physical or neurological injury, as well as in divorce proceedings. Specifically, the questions they answer include:
- Can your client perform regular work at a standard pace, or have their capabilities declined?
- Is part-time or full-time employment feasible?
- Have limitations reached the point where work is no longer realistic, with only lighter or leisure activities available?
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Capacity Evaluations in Ohio
Learn more about functional capacity evaluations.
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Does Beacon Rehab Accept Cases Outside of Ohio?
Yes. While we serve Ohio attorneys, our company operates nationwide. Mr. Smolarski has also provided services internationally in locations such as South Africa, Germany, Canada, and China.
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What Range of Damage Determinations Has Beacon Rehab Helped to Achieve?
Our work has contributed to damage determinations ranging from $2 million to $38 million across more than four decades of practice. In addition, our review process has identified overcharges exceeding $1 million.
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What is the Difference Between a Functional Capacity Evaluation & a Vocational Evaluation?
At Beacon Rehab, our FCEs investigate both physical and behavioral aspects of functional capacity, taking measurements across the upper and lower extremities to determine whether the evaluee can perform the essential functions of an occupation.
A vocational evaluation establishes the foundation for future monetary damages in personal injury cases. By assessing how U.S. Department of Labor worker traits are affected by a disability, both pre-injury and post-injury, the evaluation produces a synthesis of the vocational damages involved. The final summary captures access to employment, transferable skills, and a vocational quotient.
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
