Resource Center

Since 2010, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has utilized Medical Treatment Guidelines (MTGs) to establish a universal standard of care for injured workers. This system has grown increasingly complex, shifting from paper-based processes to a high-speed digital environment.

Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe two very different categories of cases. Understanding the distinction is critical for claims management professionals, as the strategies, resources, and outcomes involved can vary dramatically.

In workers’ compensation, some of the most important legal concepts are also the least understood. Terms like sole remedy, exclusive remedy, and grave injury often surface in high-stakes cases—but unless you’ve dealt with them directly, they can feel abstract. Here’s a quick guide to what these terms mean, how they’re connected, and why they matter.