Pronunciation: [fˈɛlə͡ʊ sˈɜːvənt] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "fellow servant" is phonetically transcribed as "ˈfɛloʊ ˈsɜrvənt." The first part, "fellow," is spelled with a starting "f" sound and ends with a "w" sound but is pronounced as "oʊ". The second part, "servant," is pronounced as "sɜrvənt", with a silent "e" and a stressed "a". Overall, the word means someone who serves alongside others, and its spelling reflects its pronunciation in English.
"Fellow servant" is a legal term that refers to a specific doctrine in the field of tort law, which deals with civil wrongs and resulting damages. The doctrine establishes that an employer cannot be held liable for injuries caused by one employee to another during the course of employment.
Under the fellow servant rule, if an employee suffers harm due to the negligent actions or omissions of another employee during their employment, the injured party cannot hold the employer responsible. Instead, the injured employee's legal recourse is limited to seeking compensation from the negligent co-worker personally.
The rationale behind the fellow servant doctrine is that an employer should not be held responsible for the negligence of their employees while performing their job duties, as they can reasonably assume that employees will act with due care towards each other. This principle aims to allocate liability among individuals rather than placing the burden solely on employers.
However, it is important to note that the fellow servant doctrine has seen criticism in recent years, especially due to its potential to shield employers from compensating injured employees adequately. As a result, in some jurisdictions, this doctrine has been modified or even abolished through legislation, allowing injured employees greater access to compensation for workplace injuries caused by co-workers.
The etymology of the word "fellow servant" can be broken down as follows:
1. Fellow: It comes from the Old English word "feolaga", which meant "a person who shares the same lot or condition, member of a partnership, comrade, associate". The word has roots in the Germanic language group.
2. Servant: This word has origins in the Latin word "serviens", which later became "servant" in Old French and English. It refers to a person who performs duties and provides services to others.
When combined, "fellow servant" refers to someone who shares the same servant status or occupation. It is often used to describe two or more people who work together as colleagues or employees in the same service or profession.
