Ramsey v. Ayvaz Pizza, LLC

**Ramsey v. Ayvaz Pizza, LLC: Court Dismisses Claims Related to Employee's Death** This case involved the death of an employee at Ayvaz Pizza who died from inhaling computer duster (a cleaning product) while at work. The deceased employee's family sued the pizza company, claiming the employer was responsible for the death. The court dismissed all claims against the pizza company and other defendants. The judge ruled that under Kansas law, when someone voluntarily participates in illegal activity that leads to their injury or death, they cannot sue others for damages related to that harm. Since inhaling computer duster is illegal, the court found that the employee's voluntary participation in this illegal act prevented any legal claims from moving forward. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling highlights an important legal principle that can limit workers' rights to compensation. If an employee is injured or killed while voluntarily engaging in illegal activity at work, their ability to sue their employer may be severely restricted or completely blocked. Workers should be aware that engaging in illegal activities, even during work hours or on company property, can eliminate their legal protections and prevent them or their families from recovering damages, regardless of any employer negligence.