Which statement about the reduction in indemnity when the employee's own serious and willful misconduct caused the injury is true?

• A. A 60% reduction
• B. No reduction
• C. A 25% reduction
• D. The indemnity is reduced by 50%

Answer: (D)

When the injury is caused by the employee’s own serious and willful misconduct, California workers’ compensation law reduces the indemnity by 50 percent. This means the worker still receives medical treatment plus wage replacement, but the usual indemnity payments (temporary or permanent disability) are cut in half. The misconduct must be intentional and in defiance of safety rules or with knowledge that harm could result; ordinary negligence isn’t enough to trigger the reduction. This rule exists to deter willful misconduct and assign a greater share of responsibility to the employee. The other percentage figures or no reduction don’t align with this standard.