Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Hazelwood

The sole question in this case is whether an employee’s claim against his employer, asserted in a common law action for injury resulting from goosing by a fellow employee, 1 is barred by the exclusivity provision contained in Code § 65.1-40, part of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act). 2 Answering the question in the negative, we will affirm the trial court’s approval of a jury verdict favorable to the employee.

In a two-count motion for judgment, the employee, Rickey A. Hazelwood (Hazelwood), sought both compensatory and punitive damages against his employer, Richmond Newspapers,…