Which of the following best describes the employer's obligation to medical care under workers' compensation rules?

• A. The employer must provide medical and hospital treatment reasonably required to cure or relieve from the injury
• B. The employer is not obligated to provide medical care
• C. The employee must pay all medical costs
• D. Medical care is optional

Answer: (A)

Under California workers’ compensation, the employer must furnish medical and hospital care that is reasonably required to cure or relieve the employee from the injury. This means treatment that a reasonable medical professional would consider necessary to treat the work-related condition, with costs covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. It is not optional, and the employee isn’t responsible for all medical costs. Choices suggesting no obligation or that care is optional don’t reflect the legal duty.