chain of causation rule
chain-of-causation rule. Workers’ compensation. The principle that an employee’s suicide is compensable under workers’-compensation statutes if the employee suffered an earlier work-related injury that led to a mental dis-order resulting in the suicide. [Cases: Workers’ Compensation 546, 603, 799. C.J.S. Workmen’s Compensation §§ 313, 361, 482–483.]