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

Abstract:     
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' 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' compensation as the remedy for intentionally inflicted workplace injuries.

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (" IWCA") contains exclusivity provisions that mandate that workers' 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.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 5

Keywords: intentional torts, Illinois law, injuries, employers, workers' compensation system, 'alter ego' exception, Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, IWCA, "accidental" injuries, common law actions

JEL Classification: K13, K19, K31, K39

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