Case ID: pa-super_168/html/0493-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Arnold, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Pandolf v. Seneca Coal Co. (et al., Appellant).
    Argued November 13, 1950.
    Before Hirt, Reno, Dithrich, Ross and Arnold, JJ. (Rhodes, P. J. and Gunther, J., absent).
    
      
      Karl E. Weise, with him Kirsch & Weise, for appellant.
    
      Rosen & Rosen, Irwin M. Ringold, and. Walter A. Kieler, for appellee.
    March 12, 1951:
   Opinion by

Arnold, J.,

In this workmen’s compensation case the insurance carrier appeals from an award against it and the claimant’s employer. The court below affirmed the board, which found the insurance carrier liable, and the latter appeals because it was held liable under the policy, but does not attack the award to the claimant.

The appellant issued to the employer a policy of workmen’s compensation insurance, which by its express terms expired April 1, 1947. The claimant was injured April 29, 1947. The insurance carrier was held liable on the theory of estoppel to deny it was bound. This in turn rested on the fact that the employer had never received notice that the compensation insurance was not in force, and that it expected or believed that the policy was self-renewing unless it was notified. The insurance agent testified that in ordinary practice the renewal policy is sent out at least a month prior to expiration.

The case is ruled by Chell v. Harry Brodsky Decorating Co., Inc., et al., 138 Pa. Superior Ct. 139, 10 A. 2d 127, in which there was more reason for holding the carrier liable than in the instant case, since a portion of the new premium had been paid. In the Chell case the rule was stated: . . the term of this policy ended automatically. No insurance was then in force. It was necessary, if the insurance was to be continued, for the Insurance Fund to issue either a new policy or a certificate of renewal. It did neither ... We are of the opinion that the mere acceptance of the defendant’s check [for part of the premium] did- not require' the Insurance Fund to antedate its policy to make the cov: erage relate back to an earlier date; and that there was no legally competent evidence to justify the finding of the board that the policy/was in fact renewed and was in full force and effect on the date, of the. accident.’ ” We may add that the compensation authorities and the court below relied on matters ■ of ■ statu té or policy which related only to cancellation' and not to a renewal.

Thé judgment against Eureka Casualty-.Company, insurance carrier appellant,, is reversed. The. judgment against the Seneca Coal Company is affirmed.