§ 37-9-504 — Contracts restricting liability void

Any contract, rule, or regulation or device whatsoever, the
purpose or intent of which shall be to enable any such person or
corporation, so operating such railroad to exempt itself from
any liability created by this act shall, to that extent, be
void. Nor shall any contract of insurance, relief, benefit or
indemnity in case of injury or death, entered into prior to the
injury, between the person so injured and such corporation, or
any person or association acting for such corporation, nor shall
the acceptance of any such insurance, relief, benefit, or
indemnity by the person injured, his widow, heirs, or legal
representatives after the injury, from such corporation, person
or association, constitute any bar or defense to any cause of
action brought under the provisions of this act, but nothing
herein contained shall be construed to prevent or invalidate any
settlement for damages between the employer and the employees
subsequent to injuries received.