Which statement best explains the concept of 'special risk' in workers' compensation?

• A. It applies when an injury is caused by a personal risk unrelated to work
• B. It applies when the hazard is inherent in the employment and introduces an unusual risk to the employee
• C. It only applies to injuries occurring within the workplace
• D. It excludes injuries caused by third parties

Answer: (B)

Special risk means a hazard that is inherent to the job and creates an unusual level of danger for the worker. The key idea is that the risk comes from the employment itself, not from a personal activity or an everyday hazard common to many jobs. When an injury arises from such a job-specific, unusual hazard, it is considered to arise out of and in the course of employment and is covered by workers’ compensation.

This fits the correct statement because it directly ties the injury to a risk that is unique to the occupation and not just a general or personal risk. It also helps distinguish from injuries caused by personal choices or by hazards that aren’t unique to the job. The other descriptions fail because they describe risks unrelated to work, restrict coverage to injuries inside the workplace, or hinge on third-party involvement rather than the nature of the job’s hazard.