Which statement best defines a medical-only claim?

• A. An injury with indemnity payments only
• B. An injury with compensable lost time
• C. An injury requiring first aid only
• D. An injury with no compensable lost time but medical treatment beyond first aid

Answer: (D)

Medical-only claims are those in which the injury requires medical treatment beyond first aid but does not generate compensable lost time or wage-replacement benefits. In California workers’ compensation, you’re in a medical-only category when medical care is needed, but there are no indemnity payments for lost time. The option that states there is no compensable lost time but medical treatment beyond first aid fits this precisely: treatment is required beyond first aid, yet there are no wage-replacement benefits.

If there are indemnity payments or compensable lost time, the claim becomes an indemnity claim rather than medical-only. If the injury only required first aid, it wouldn’t reach the level of medical treatment beyond first aid, so it wouldn’t be medical-only either.