Employer Liability for Supervisors\u27 Intentional Torts: The Uncertain Scope of the Alter Ego Exception

When Illinois employees are the victims of intentional torts by supervisors, can they bring common law tort suits against their employers for these injuries, or are they limited to bringing a claim under the workers\u27 compensation system? This question, which arises with unfortunate reguIarity, lacks a clear answer because both state and federal courts in Illinois are divided over the scope of the alter ego exception to the exclusivity of workers\u27 compensation as the remedy for intentionally inflicted workplace injuries. The Illinois Workers\u27 Compensation Act ( IWCA ) contains exclusivity provisions that mandate that workers\u27 compensation is the sole remedy available to employees for workplace injuries. There are exceptions to the exclusivity rule, including the principle that the rule does not apply if the injury is not accidental

Employer Liability for Supervisors\u27 Intentional Torts: The Uncertain Scope of the Alter Ego Exception

When Illinois employees are the victims of intentional torts by supervisors, can they bring common law tort suits against their employers for these injuries, or are they limited to bringing a claim under the workers\u27 compensation system? This question, which arises with unfortunate reguIarity, lacks a clear answer because both state and federal courts in Illinois are divided over the scope of the alter ego exception to the exclusivity of workers\u27 compensation as the remedy for intentionally inflicted workplace injuries. The Illinois Workers\u27 Compensation Act ( IWCA ) contains exclusivity provisions that mandate that workers\u27 compensation is the sole remedy available to employees for workplace injuries. There are exceptions to the exclusivity rule, including the principle that the rule does not apply if the injury is not accidental