39-71-509. Action against uninsured employer -- limitation of employer's defenses. If an injured employee or the employee's beneficiaries bring an action to recover damages for personal injuries sustained or for death resulting from personal injuries sustained, it is not a defense for the employer that the:

(1) employee was negligent unless the negligence was willful;

(2) injury was caused by the negligence of a fellow employee; or

(3) employee had assumed the risks inherent in, incident to, or arising out of the employee's employment or arising from the failure of the employer to provide and maintain a reasonably safe place to work or reasonably safe tools or appliances.