What is a QRC and How do I Go About Getting One for My Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Case?

One of the benefits that is offered to injured workers in Minnesota is the assistance of a QRC or a qualified rehabilitation consultant. The job of a QRC is to help the injured worker in getting them back to work with the date of injury employer, either in their original job or in a new position within the employer. If the employee cannot go back to work with the same employer, and they are allowed to return to work, job placement services may be initiated to help the worker look for work.

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Unfortunately, under Minnesota law there is no absolute right for an employer to provide light-duty work. However, the law prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating against an injured worker who has suffered an injury or filed for workers compensation benefits.

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Unfortunately, this is a situation that occurs all too often. Under Minnesota law there is no absolute right for an employer to provide light-duty work. However, the law prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating against an injured worker who has suffered an injury or filed for workers compensation benefits.

Employers are required to make reasonable efforts to find acceptable positions for injured workers. This does not mean that the employer has to change their business practices. The question is whether the employer can make the necessary modifications without impacting the core duties of the employees job, the expense of those modifications and the difficulties that maybe caused by having to reassign job duties to other workers.

If the employer is unable to make a reasonable accommodation, you may be entitled to wage loss benefits. The type of benefits that may be available to you depends on where you are at in your case. Moreover, you may be entitled to rehabilitation services to help assist you in finding alternative employment.

If you find yourself in this type of situation it is important to contact a lawyer to go over your various options. You will want to discuss what type of benefits are available to you including wage loss, rehabilitation, retraining and medical.

Following a serious work related injury there comes a point when your medical doctors want to determine what your physical capabilities in order to return you to work, evaluate your disability, determine how non-work related conditions affect your work ability or to determine your overall functionality. A Functional Capacity Evaluation or FCE objectively measures an injured employee’s capability, not disability, by identifying safe performance capabilities and comparing them to the job requirements detailed in a Job Demands Analysis (JDA).

FCE’s and JDA’s through the assistance of a physical therapist can determine your strengths, abilities, weaknesses and needs. It can establish the level of physical performance within your tolerance.

An FCE typically includes:

An in-depth questionnaire is used to determine other conditions and specific limitations you may have, whether directly or indirectly related to your job duties.

Real and Simulated Work such as lifting, pushing/pulling, squatting with and without weights, overhead activities and endurance activities, such as maintaining a position for a specified length of time or walking for a specified distance, plus any other work-specific activities you may perform when at work.

An FCE can last several hours to a couple of days, depending on the scope of testing. It is important during your testing that you be honest and truthful. You have the right to refuse to continue any test procedure at any time. However, if appropriate and safe, the Therapist may ask you to continue despite minor pain. It is only during this period that a proper assessment of the degree of functional ability or disability can be made.

The FCE can be very beneficial in finding appropriate work for an injured worker. The exact restrictions and limitations can open doors to jobs or opportunities that may have been excluded but for the FCE.