Every employee who is a corporate officer and who elects not to operate under this chapter, in any action to recover damages for personal injury or death by accident brought against an employer who has elected to operate under this chapter, shall proceed as at common law, and the employer in the suit may make use of all common law defenses. This section shall not apply to any officer of a corporation, member of a limited liability company, partner, or sole proprietor who is engaged in the construction industry, as defined by § 50-6-901; instead, part 9 of this chapter shall apply to such officer, member, partner or sole proprietor.