Palmer Cason, employed by Rock Wool, experienced a furnace explosion injury on July 16, 2014. Interestingly, "explosion doors," which could have lessened the impact of such incidents, had been previously removed by Rock Wool. Responding to this, the Casons pursued legal action against Palmer's coworkers and Rock Wool, citing negligence and other torts. Rock Wool aimed to dismiss the case, pointing to the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act, arguing it as the sole remedy for workplace injuries. The Casons retaliated by amending their complaint to align with the Alabama Employer's Liability Act. This move led to another dismissal motion from Rock Wool, who highlighted the exclusivity of both the Employer's Liability Act and the Workers' Compensation Act.
Central to this legal dispute are precedents set by the Lowman case and Ex parte Progress Rail Services Corp. While the former distinguished between general torts and those covered by the Workers' Compensation Act, the latter emphasized that intentional wrongs within an employer's duties aren't actionable. Rock Wool leverages these cases to assert that the Casons' claims fall under the Workers' Compensation Act, given the workplace context of the injury. This stance is further backed by prior legal rulings that even deliberate employer actions resulting in workplace accidents align with the Workers' Compensation Act. Consequently, the court recognizes Rock Wool's defense as valid and instructs the lower court to review and adjust its prior decision accordingly.
"Special Employee" Status Shields Midsouth from Negligence Claims: Court Validates Exclusive-Remedy Provisions
Court Sides with Defendant in Workplace Injury Case, Granting Immunity Under Workers' Compensation Act
Court Upholds Dismissal of Plaintiff's Claims against Employer on Grounds of Expiry and Lack of Evidence
Defendant's Petition for Dismissal of Plaintiff's Claims Denied by Court
Court Reverses Ruling on Defendant's Status as Employer's Agent in Plaintiff's Accident Case
Interpretation of "Employer" under the Workers' Compensation Act Challenges Defendant's Claim to Immunity
Defendant's Mandamus Petition Denied: Alleged Post-Accident Negligence Not Covered by Workers' Compensation Exclusivity Provisions
Court Upholds City of Muscle Shoals' Claim to Immunity Over Gattman Park Injury
Tenax Granted Immunity in Worker's Injury Lawsuit due to Alabama Workers' Compensation Act
Court Reverses Denial of Summary Judgment, Finds Uninstalled Safety Saw Does Not Equate to Removal of a Safety Guard
Court Rules on Dismissal and Jury Trial Issues in Workplace Assault Case
TDY Employee's Injury Lawsuit Faces Jurisdiction Challenge on Appeal After Key Counts Dismissed by Trial Court.
Court Debates Enforceability of Unapproved Workers' Compensation Settlement After Employee's Death
Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Limited to Workers' Compensation Remedies
Plaintiff Appealed a Summary Judgment in Favor of APCo on Claims of Negligence and Wantonness
Tort Claims Against Special Employer are Barred by Exclusive-Remedy Provision of the Act
No Evidence of Toxicity Exposure or Work-Related Disease
Procedural Dispute of Proper Court to review Exclusivity Provisions
Administrative Rule deemed Willful Conduct: Claim Allowed under Exclusive Remedy Provisions
Release of Claims Under Workers' Compensation Act does not include Claims Based on Willful Removal of Safety Devicee
"Special Employee" Status Shields Midsouth from Negligence Claims: Court Validates Exclusive-Remedy Provisions
Court Reverses Dismissal of Injured Worker's Tort Claims Related to Post-Accident Care
Tenax Granted Immunity in Worker's Injury Lawsuit due to Alabama Workers' Compensation Act
Court Reverses Denial of Summary Judgment, Finds Uninstalled Safety Saw Does Not Equate to Removal of a Safety Guard
Court Rules on Dismissal and Jury Trial Issues in Workplace Assault Case
TDY Employee's Injury Lawsuit Faces Jurisdiction Challenge on Appeal After Key Counts Dismissed by Trial Court.
A Prolonged Battle Over Workers' Compensation and Negligence Claims
Plaintiff Appealed a Summary Judgment in Favor of APCo on Claims of Negligence and Wantonness
Tort Claims Against Special Employer are Barred by Exclusive-Remedy Provision of the Act
Procedural Dispute of Proper Court to review Exclusivity Provisions
Release of Claims Under Workers' Compensation Act does not include Claims Based on Willful Removal of Safety Devicee