Which term describes the legal concept that a worker's remedy is limited to workers' compensation rather than the civil court?

• A. Exclusive remedy
• B. Concurrent remedy
• C. Primary remedy
• D. Supplemental remedy

Answer: (A)

Exclusive remedy describes the rule that an injured worker’s remedy is limited to workers’ compensation benefits and cannot normally be pursued in civil court against the employer. In California, this system guarantees medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits through a statutory schedule, in exchange for giving up the right to sue the employer for most workplace injuries. The result is a faster, more predictable path to benefits, with the trade-off of not pursuing traditional tort damages in court. There are narrow exceptions where a civil action might be possible (for example, in cases of intentional harm), but the default rule remains that the remedy is exclusive to the workers’ compensation system.