Case ID: f-appx_150/html/0178-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

L. Paul DIEFFENBACH, Appellant v. INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION ASSOCIATES, INCORPORATED dba Intracorp.
    No. 04-4085.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) Oct. 14, 2005.
    Decided Oct. 18, 2005.
    
      L. Paul Dieffenbach, Media, PA, pro se.
    Christine L. Ciarrocchi, Philadelphia, PA, for International Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.
    Before SLOVITER, BARRY and FISHER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Appellant, L. Paul Dieffenbach, filed this action against his former employer, Intracorp, claiming that he was improperly denied severance benefits and that his wages were improperly garnished pursuant to a state tax hen. He later amended his complaint to include claims of age discrimination and unlawful discharge to avoid pension vesting. On December 23, 2002, the District Court granted Intracorp’s motion to compel arbitration, holding that Dieffenbach was bound by the parties’ written agreement to arbitrate all disputes arising out of his employment. In 2004, the parties entered into a written Settlement Agreement and Release, calling for Intracorp to pay Dieffenbach $17,544.96. Dieffenbach took the position that the Release did not include his ADEA claim or ERISA discharge claim. An arbitrator granted Intracorp’s motion for enforcement of the Agreement, holding that the Release covered ah claims. Dieffenbach then returned to the District Court and sought to quash the award, while Intracorp moved for enforcement. On August 16, 2004, the District Court confirmed the arbitrator’s award in all respects and dismissed the case. After the District Court denied Dieffenbach’s timely filed motion for reconsideration, Dieffenbach timely filed this appeal. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 9 U.S.C. § 16(a)(1)(D).

Dieffenbach raises a host of issues on appeal, but after a careful review of the record, we find no basis to disturb the District Court’s judgment. Among other things, Dieffenbach argues that the Arbitrator impermissibly “reversed” a pri- or ruling by the District Court finding the waiver of his ADEA claims unenforceable. Appellant’s Br. at 16. The record is clear, however, that the District Court did not consider the enforceability of the arbitration agreement or waiver of the ADEA claims until after the arbitration proceeding when it confirmed the award. Dieffenbach also contends that the arbitrator’s award cannot stand because the arbitrator reached his decision without holding a hearing. Appellant’s Br. at 24. As the District Court correctly observed, however, the arbitrator decided the matter pursuant to the parties’ Settlement Agreement, and the Settlement permitted the issues to be heard and decided on a summary basis without a hearing. Moreover, the record fully supports a finding that Dieffenbach’s execution of the arbitration agreement, as well as his execution of the Settlement Agreement and Release, were knowingly and voluntarily given, and Dieffenbach presents us with no credible or persuasive argument to the contrary. Cf. Wastak v. Lehigh Valley Health Network, 342 F.3d 281 (3d Cir.2003).

We have considered Dieffenbach’s remaining arguments, but we find those arguments without merit and in need of no separate discussion. We note that the Appellee’s Brief fully and accurately sets forth the reasons why Dieffenbach’s various contentions must be rejected. For the reasons stated, we will affirm the District Court’s judgment.