Workers’ compensation covers the following types of injuries:

• Specific physical injury;
• Cumulative physical injury;
• Specific mental injury; and
• Cumulative mental injury.

An injury is “specific” if one incident or exposure in the workplace causes a physical or mental injury. An injury is “cumulative” if repetitive, traumatic activities in the workplace caused a physical or mental injury over an extended period of time.1

Workers’ compensation covers injuries regardless of the level of medical care necessary. Workers’ compensation covers injuries if:

• Medical treatment is required.
• First aid is required.
• Surgery is required.
• The injury is disabling.2

Combined Workers’ Compensation Award for Specific and Cumulative Injuries

Each work-related injury is a separate and distinct event, requiring a separate claim and award. If an employee suffers from a specific injury and a cumulative injury, regardless of when the injury occurred, they are entitled to two separate awards — one for each injury. The employee is not entitled to merge the claims into a combined award with a longer payout period, because a combined award is contrary to legislative intent.3

1. Lab. Code sec. 3208.1