Court Grants Summary Judgment Sought by School Principal in Negligence Suit

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Supreme Court has granted a school principal’s motion for summary judgment on negligence claims brought by his part-time office assistant, finding insufficient evidence of willful or reckless behavior to allow the case to continue.

The high court did conclude, however, that the claims were not barred by the exclusivity provision of the Workers’ Compensation Act because the principal and assistant were “co-workers” as defined by an exception to that provision.

Plaintiff Joan F. Trivette alleged that her myasthenia gravis, a neurological condition, which was in remission prior to the incident, recurred after she was …