True/False: Where the injury is caused by Serious and willful misconduct of the EE the compensation otherwise recoverable shall be reduced by 1/2 where the injury results in death or PD of 70% or more.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not determinable
• D. Undetermined

Answer: (A)

In California workers’ compensation, when the injury is caused by the employee’s own serious and willful misconduct, the law imposes a penalty on benefits. The intended effect is typically a reduction of the compensation otherwise payable by one-half. This reduction is not tied exclusively to outcomes like death or a permanent disability percentage of 70% or more. The halving applies in cases of willful misconduct regardless of whether the resulting disability meets that 70% threshold. So stating that the reduction occurs only when death or a 70%+ permanent disability results is not accurate, making the statement false.