Split Court Says Exclusivity Bars Worker's Suit Against Statutory Co-Employees

A divided Virginia Court of Appeals ruled that workers’ compensation exclusivity barred a worker from pursuing a civil suit against his statutory co-employees. Case: Villarroel v. Railing Systems LLC, No. 1572-24-4, 02/03/2026, unpublished. Facts: Ronald Villarroel worked for Pristine Home Services. He suffered injuries while working on a residential construction project in 2021 when he stepped on a window well egress grate, which gave way, causing him to fall. Procedural history: Villarroel filed suit against Railing Systems LLC, arguing that it created a dangerous condition by faili...