Common-Law Doctrine of Torts
But the common-law doctrine of torts also plays a role. This body of law consists of court decisions regarding wrongful acts such as personal injuries that were committed by an employee on another employee or even customer and resulted in a lawsuit against the employer.
Employees and customers can obtain damage awards if they demonstrate that the employers engaged in reckless or intentional infliction designed to degrade or humiliate, Few such cases have been successful, in part because workers' compensation programs were designed to remove workplace accidents and injuries from litigation. The cases that have been successfully brought against employers are notable because of the costs involved.