(a) Every corporation, except while engaged in interstate commerce, shall be liable in damages to any person suffering injury while he or she is employed by the corporation.
(b) In case of death of the employee, the corporation shall be liable to his or her personal representative for the benefit of the surviving widow or spouse and children of the employee or, if no spouse or children exist, then to the employee's parents or, if none, then to the next of kin of the employee for the injury or death resulting in whole or in part from negligence of the corporation or from the negligence of any of the officers, agents, or employees of the corporation.