Kappas v. Andritz Inc.

45 Pa. D. & C.4th 288, 2000 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 329
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lycoming County
DecidedMarch 17, 2000
Docketno. 98-01,938
StatusPublished

This text of 45 Pa. D. & C.4th 288 (Kappas v. Andritz Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Lycoming County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Kappas v. Andritz Inc., 45 Pa. D. & C.4th 288, 2000 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 329 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2000).

Opinion

SMITH, P.J.,

This case arises out of injuries Nicholas Kappas sustained while working at the Muncy facility of Andritz Inc. a/k/a Andritz Sprout-Bauer Inc. Mr. Kappas was placed at the Andritz foundry through HATS, Howe About Temps Inc., a temporary employment agency. Although Mr. Kappas received workers’ compensation for his injuries, he is now attempting to sue both Andritz and HATS for negligence. Both companies filed motions for summary judgment, each claiming that as Mr. Kappas’ employer, it is immune from suit under the Workers’ Compensation Act.

This case presents two matters for the court to decide. The first issue is easy: which company or companies, if any, is Mr. Kappas’ employer for workers’ compensation immunity purposes? Under Pennsylvania case law, Andritz is the employer and HATS is not. Therefore, HATS may be sued but Andritz may not. The second question is much more difficult, and is a matter of first [290]*290impression in Pennsylvania: Does a temporary employment agency have a duty to its applicants, and if so, what is that duty?

DISCUSSION

Andritz and HATS have both filed for summary judgment, asking this court to dismiss the case against them. A motion for summary judgment may be granted when there is no genuine issue of material fact regarding a necessary element of the cause of action or if, after completion of discovery, the plaintiff has failed to produce evidence of a fact essential to prove the cause of action. Pa.R.C.P. 1035.2. The purpose of the rule is to eliminate cases where a party cannot prevail on a claim or a defense. Eaddy v. Hamaty, 694 A.2d 639, 643 (Pa. Super. 1997). If the defendant is the moving party, he must point to materials that indicate the plaintiff is unable to satisfy an element of his cause of action. Godlewski v. Pars Manufacturing Co., 408 Pa. Super. 425, 431, 597 A.2d 106, 109 (1991). In considering a motion for summary judgment, the court must examine the record in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Kerns v. Methodist Hospital, 393 Pa. Super. 533, 574 A.2d 1068 (1990).

Both Andritz and HATS claim they are Mr. Kappas’ employer for purposes of workers’ compensation immunity. Mr. Kappas contends neither is his employer, and both are fair game for this tort action.

The Workers’ Compensation Act provides that recovery under the Act is the exclusive remedy available to employees injured when acting in the scope of their employment. 77 P.S. §481(a). The law obliterated the employee’s right to maintain a tort action for these inju[291]*291ries in exchange for what the legislature perceived to be a more equitable and certain system of compensation. Kosowan v. MDC Industries Inc., 319 Pa. Super. 91, 465 A.2d 1069 (1983). Under the quid pro quo established by the Act, the employee gives up the right to sue his or her employer for negligence in return for automatic compensation for the injuries, without having to prove the employer was at fault. Wasserman v. Fifth & Reed Hospital, 442 Pa. Super. 563, 660 A.2d 600 (1995).

In determining whether an entity is an employer under the Workers’ Compensation Act, any discrepancies in the facts are for a jury to decide; however, whether the facts as they exist constitute an employment relationship is strictly a question of law. English v. Lehigh County Authority, 286 Pa. Super. 312, 322, 428 A.2d 1343, 1348 (1981). Here, there are no significant issues of material facts for a jury to decide; therefore, summary judgment is appropriate.

I. Andritz’ Motion for Summary Judgment

A. Borrowed Servant Doctrine

Andritz maintains it is the employer because of the “borrowed servant” doctrine, under which an employee furnished by one person becomes the employee of the person to whom he or she is loaned. The test as to whether a person becomes a borrowed servant is whether the right to control the work and the manner in which the work is performed passes to the borrower. JFC Temps Inc. v. W.C.A.B. (Lindsay), 545 Pa. 149, 153, 680 A.2d 862, 864 (1996). The entity possessing the right to control the manner of the performance of the work is the employer, irrespective of whether that control is actually [292]*292exercised. Id. Although other factors such as the right to select and discharge the employee and the payment of wages may be relevant, the right to control the performance of the work is the overriding factor. Id. at 156, 680 A.2d at 865.

It is clear from the record that Andritz had the right to control the manner in which Mr. Kappas performed the work at the Andritz plant. Carl Miller, the team leader of the Cast and Clean Department in which Mr. Kappas was placed, testified in his deposition that when Mr. Kappas arrived at the plant, he took Mr. Kappas to his office and explained when the breaks were, when the dinner hour was, when he was to start cleaning up, and what personal protection equipment he was required to wear. Miller deposition, p. 25. Mr. Kappas testified that Mr. Miller showed him the area in which he was to grind and provided him with ear plugs, a helmet with a face shield, safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat. Kappas deposition, pp. 40-41. Peter Brandt, plant supervisor, testified that Carl Miller was in charge of training the temporary workers, and that workers were required to wear certain protective equipment. Brandt deposition, p. 27. Mr. Miller showed Mr. Kappas what to grind, explained that he was to “take the lips and edges off,” and told him how to do it after Mr. Kappas asked him. Id. at p. 42. Mr. Miller testified that he watched Mr. Kappas grinding for 15 minutes. Miller deposition, p. 27. When any new piece was assigned to Mr. Kappas, Mr. Miller would go over it with him and explain what had to be removed. Miller deposition, p. 29. Andritz provided the grinders, as well as the materials to be ground. Kappas deposition, pp. 80-81. Mr. Miller showed Mr. Kappas how to operate the overhead crane and how to lubricate the grinder. Kappas deposition, pp. 42, 68. Mr. Miller was the per[293]*293son with the authority to tell Mr. Kappas if he was not doing a satisfactory job. Kappas deposition, pp. 75, 78, 82. If Mr. Miller was unsatisfied with Mr. Kappas’ work, he would first confront Mr. Kappas and then if the problem was not cleared up, would report it to his supervisor. Miller deposition, p. 38. And finally, Andritz had the power to terminate Mr. Kappas. Packard-Howe deposition, pp. 40-41.

Mr. Kappas contends these facts are insufficient to show Andritz had the right to control his work for the following reasons. First, he argues that Mr. Kappas was a skilled employee, and thus the right to control never passed to Andritz because there was no need to train him. In support of this proposition, Mr. Kappas cites Accountemps v.

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Related

Kosowan v. MDC Industries, Inc.
465 A.2d 1069 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1983)
Godlewski v. Pars Manufacturing Co.
597 A.2d 106 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1991)
Ligon v. Middletown Area School District
584 A.2d 376 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 1990)
JFC Temps, Inc. v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board
680 A.2d 862 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1996)
Troxel v. A.I. duPont Institute
675 A.2d 314 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1996)
Accountemps v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board
548 A.2d 703 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 1988)
English v. Lehigh County Authority
428 A.2d 1343 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1981)
Keller v. Old Lycoming Township
428 A.2d 1358 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1981)
Kerns v. Methodist Hospital
574 A.2d 1068 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1990)
Wilkinson v. K-Mart
603 A.2d 659 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1992)
Wasserman v. Fifth & Reed Hospital
660 A.2d 600 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1995)
Majestic v. Commonwealth
641 A.2d 295 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1994)
Eaddy v. Hamaty
694 A.2d 639 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1997)

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Bluebook (online)
45 Pa. D. & C.4th 288, 2000 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 329, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/kappas-v-andritz-inc-pactcompllycomi-2000.