Statutory Cap Applies to Independent Contractor's Ability to Recover Damages for Work Injury

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that an independent contractor who suffered an on-the-job injury must have any recovery capped at $15,000. Case: Williams v. Blanca Forestry Products Inc., No. 25CA1444, 08/27/2026, unpublished. Facts: Norman Williams owns a welding and fabrication business as a sole proprietor. Blanca Forestry Products Inc. hired Williams as an independent contractor to either build a new staircase outside of a sawmill or to repurpose a steel staircase located inside the sawmill and move it outside. While onsite at the sawmill, Williams fell from the staircase and ...