Article ID: 679847f55f17116dc5c8036d314eb519d14d0830b85f4e37dac5f57dcbe8a03b
Source ID: secondary:businessinsurance.com
Published At: -
Extraction Method: bs4_heuristic
Body Text
Comp exclusivity does not bar suit over supervisor’s alleged violent acts - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Comp exclusivity does not bar suit over supervisor’s alleged violent acts by Louise Esola Workers Comp Coverage Oct 7, 2026 A North Carolina appeals court on Wednesday allowed an employee’s lawsuit against his supervisor to proceed, finding allegations of repeated blows to the head and neck fell within an exception to workers compensation exclusivity. Randy Hembree alleged that Eric William Wright struck him and other subordinates as a form of motivation while supervising him at Hendrick Automotive Group LLC. Mr. Hembree worked there from 2015 until January 2025, according to Randy Hembree v. Hendrick Automotive Group, LLC , filed in the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The complaint alleged that the conduct escalated through 2022 despite Mr. Wright knowing Mr. Hembree had undergone neck surgery in 2015. Mr. Hembree attributed neurological symptoms and a cervical spinal condition that progressed to total disability to the alleged abuse. Mr. Wright sought dismissal, arguing that the North Carolina Industrial Commission had exclusive jurisdiction over the workplace injury claim. The trial court denied his motion. The appeals court said state law permits civil claims against co-employees for willful, wanton and reckless negligence. It rejected Mr. Wright’s argument that the complaint failed to allege the intent needed to invoke that exception. The relevant intent was the intent to make unwanted physical contact, the court said, rather than an intent to cause the resulting harm. Allegations that Mr. Wright deliberately struck Mr. Hembree were sufficient, even though the complaint labeled the claim as negligence. The court affirmed the denial of dismissal without deciding whether Mr. Wright was liable. The separate dismissal motion filed by the three corporate defendants remained pending when Mr. Wright appealed. Related News Worker keeps comp benefits for fall in sandals while heading to charge phone October 7, 2026 Psychologist loses bid to end probation after comp fraud conviction October 7, 2026 Judge throws the book at TV station, discovers outdated edition October 7, 2026 MEMIC to pay $17 million policyholder dividend October 7, 2026 Blended cyber, tech E&O coverage requires careful assessment October 7, 2026 Dual North America names head of earthquake October 7, 2026 Aviva launches US specialty business October 7, 2026 Economic losses from floods top $1B: Aon October 7, 2026 Growing military cargo volumes raise commercial supply chain risks October 7, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. Never miss important news: Become a Business Insurance Online subscriber today Subscribe Now Information About Us Contact Advertise Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Copyright 2026. BUSINESS INSURANCE HOLDINGS Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
Metadata (JSON)
{
"score": 12.466666666666667
}