Employer's Alleged Administrative Violations Don't Foreclose Exclusivity Defense

A Texas appellate court ruled that an employer’s alleged administrative violations did not prevent it from presenting and prevailing on its exclusivity defense. Robert Lane worked for Odle Inc. After he allegedly suffered injuries at work, he filed a negligence action against Odle. Lane asserted that Odle did not subscribe to the workers’ compensation system, so he was entitled to a civil remedy. Odle responded that Lane had been receiving workers’ compensation benefits and raised an exclusivity defense. According to Odle, Lane had been covered by workers’...