High Court: Co-Employee Immunity Doesn't Shield Vehicle Owners From Vicarious Liability

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday held that a motor vehicle owner can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of a driver, even if the driver is personally immune from liability under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Workers’ compensation exclusivity provides immunity to the worker who caused the harm, but it doesn't release others from liability, the court explained in Rebecca A. Niebuhr v. Jacob Sieberg. "Accordingly, the Workers’ Compensation Act does not bar an injured employee from pursuing a claim against a motor vehicle owner for vicarious liabilit...