Opinion ID: 1885918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: discussion as to pennsylvania manufacturers' association insurance company

Text: Although the writer of this opinion dissented in Brown v. Travelers Ins. Co., 434 Pa. 507, 254 A. 2d 27 (1969), and again in DeJesus, supra, where it was held that the insurance carrier is included within the term employer as it is used in Section 303 of the Workmen's Compensation Act and, therefore, shares the employer's immunity from common-law liability, the issue has been finally determined. Section 305 of the Act (77 P.S. § 501) was amended in 1966, and it now provides: Such insurer shall assume the employer's liability hereunder and shall be entitled to all of the employer's immunities and protection hereunder. . . . Appellant argues, however, that the statute was only intended to allow the insurer to share the immunities of the employer when the employer itself is concerned, not when the insurer is also involved as an independent contractor. The appellant contends that PMA was an independent contractor hired to inspect the safety aspects of the employer's machinery. Why, asks the appellant  rhetorically, should immunity be granted to a third party merely because it also happens to be the compensation insurer for the employer? We do not think the circumstances were all that coincidental. PMA did not just happen to be acting as safety adviser to Bertels. It was advising on safety solely because of its role as the employer's insurer. The appellant's brief admits that PMA assumed the duty of making investigations of Bertel's premises pursuant to the terms of the insurance policies between it and Bertels. We believe the language of the statute is clear. PMA, in advising Bertels on safety, was acting as an insurer and is, therefore, entitled to all of the employer's immunity under the act. Judgment affirmed. Mr. Justice JONES and Mr. Justice ROBERTS took no part in the consideration or decision of this case. Mr. Justice COHEN took no part in the decision of this case.