Under which rule is a traveling employee injured while away from home on business considered compensable?

• A. Coming and going rule
• B. Bunkhouse rule
• C. Off-premises rule
• D. Commercial traveler rule

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that a traveling employee’s work travel is considered an integral part of the job. When someone must be away from home on business, injuries that occur during that travel are still within the scope of employment, so they’re treated as compensable under the commercial traveler rule. This rule recognizes that the risk of injury isn’t just at the employer’s premises but anytime the employee is performing duties or traveling for the employer, even away from home.

This is different from the coming and going rule, which typically excludes injuries that happen during a ordinary commute to or from work, and from the bunkhouse or off-premises rules, which relate to specific living arrangements or on/off-site conditions. Since the question focuses on a traveling employee hurt while away on business, the appropriate rule is the commercial traveler rule.