Meyers v. Yamato Kogyo Co.

Summary

The court held that parent corporations identified as principals and stockholders of an injured worker's direct employer were protected by the exclusive-remedy provision, even without a direct employment relationship with the worker. It interpreted the phrase "acting in his or her capacity as an employer" to modify only "partner," relying on the statutory text, the disjunctive "or," and the rule of the last antecedent. The court also clarified that statutory interpretations by the Workers’ Compensation Commission are reviewed de novo, while factual findings remain subject to substantial-evidence review.