special hazard rule
special-hazard rule. The principle that an employee is covered by workers’ compensation for injuries received while traveling to or from work if the route used contains unique risks or hazards and is not ordinarily used by the public except in dealing with the employer. • This is an exception to the general rule that an employee is not covered for injuries occurring during the employee’s commute. See GOING-AND-COMING RULE. Cf. SPECIAL-MISSION EXCEPTION . [Cases: Workers’ Compensation 719–755. C.J.S. Workmen’s Compensation §§ 431–432, 435–447.]
