# Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-102: View Statute 48-102 > Nebraska · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-102 ## Section - **Citation:** Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-102 - **Heading:** View Statute 48-102 - **Jurisdiction:** Nebraska - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** NE Code / Chapter 48 / Section 48-102 ## Text In all cases brought under sections 48-101 to 48-108 , it shall not be a defense (a) that the employee was negligent, unless it shall also appear that such negligence was willful, or that the employee was in a state of intoxication; (b) that the injury was caused by the negligence of a fellow employee; or (c) that the employee had assumed the risks inherent in, or incidental to, or arising from the failure of the employer to provide and maintain safe premises and suitable appliances, which grounds of defense are hereby abolished. Laws 1913, c. 198, § 2, p. 579; R.S.1913, § 3643; C.S.1922, § 3025; C.S.1929, § 48-102; R.S.1943, § 48-102; Laws 1971, LB 572, § 2. A common-law misrepresentation defense to govern when an applicant's misrepresentation will bar recovery of workers' compensation benefits is incompatible with the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, overruling Hilt Truck Lines, Inc. v. Jones, 204 Neb. 115, 281 N.W.2d 399 (1979). Bassinger v. Nebraska Heart Hosp., 282 Neb. 835, 806 N.W.2d 395 (2011). A common-law misrepresentation defense to govern when an applicant's misrepresentation will bar recovery of workers' compensation benefits is incompatible with the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act, overruling Hilt Truck Lines, Inc. v. Jones, 204 Neb. 115, 281 N.W.2d 399 (1979). Bassinger v. Nebraska Heart Hosp., 282 Neb. 835, 806 N.W.2d 395 (2011). The statutory defense under this section applies to employees, not applicants. Bassinger v. Nebraska Heart Hosp., 282 Neb. 835, 806 N.W.2d 395 (2011). The statutory defense under this section applies to employees, not applicants. Bassinger v. Nebraska Heart Hosp., 282 Neb. 835, 806 N.W.2d 395 (2011). This section eliminates from workers' compensation proceedings the three common-law defenses of contributory negligence, the fellow-servant rule, and assumption of the risk, preserving only the employee's willful negligence and intoxication as defenses which the employer may raise. Estate of Coe v. Willmes Trucking, 268 Neb. 880, 689 N.W.2d 318 (2004). This section eliminates from workers' compensation proceedings the three common-law defenses of contributory negligence, the fellow-servant rule, and assumption of the risk, preserving only the employee's willful negligence and intoxication as defenses which the employer may raise. Estate of Coe v. Willmes Trucking, 268 Neb. 880, 689 N.W.2d 318 (2004). Willful exposure to freezing weather was not a defense. Mead v. Missouri Valley Grain, Inc., 178 Neb. 553, 134 N.W.2d 243 (1965). Willful exposure to freezing weather was not a defense. Mead v. Missouri Valley Grain, Inc., 178 Neb. 553, 134 N.W.2d 243 (1965). Allegation that disability was due to employee's failure to allow normal recovery constituted charge of willful negligence. Rexroat v. State, 142 Neb. 596, 7 N.W.2d 163 (1942). Allegation that disability was due to employee's failure to allow normal recovery constituted charge of willful negligence. Rexroat v. State, 142 Neb. 596, 7 N.W.2d 163 (1942). Defense of assumption of risk is not available. Nedela v. Mares Auto Co., 110 Neb. 108, 193 N.W. 345 (1923). Defense of assumption of risk is not available. Nedela v. Mares Auto Co., 110 Neb. 108, 193 N.W. 345 (1923). Defense that plaintiff was willfully negligent was not established by evidence. Brown v. York Water Co., 104 Neb. 516, 177 N.W. 833 (1920). Defense that plaintiff was willfully negligent was not established by evidence. Brown v. York Water Co., 104 Neb. 516, 177 N.W. 833 (1920). ## Nearby sections - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-101 View Statute 48-101](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-101.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-101.01 View Statute 48-101.01](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-101.01.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-102 View Statute 48-102](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-102.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-103 View Statute 48-103](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-103.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-105 View Statute 48-105](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-105.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-106 View Statute 48-106](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-106.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-107 View Statute 48-107](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-107.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-108 View Statute 48-108](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-108.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-110 View Statute 48-110](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-110.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-111 View Statute 48-111](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-111.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-112 View Statute 48-112](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-112.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-114 View Statute 48-114](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-114.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-115 View Statute 48-115](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-115.md) - [Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-115.01 View Statute 48-115.01](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-115.01.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NE_C48_S48-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.