Opinion ID: 1982910
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: intentional tort exception

Text: Appellant argues that an intentional injury upon an employee by an employer is actionable as an exception to the exclusive protection provided by the Workmen's Compensation Act. In support of this theory appellant cites Jones v. P.M.A. Ins. Co., 343 Pa.Super. 411, 495 A.2d 203 (1985), and Readinger v. Gottschall, 201 Pa.Super. 134, 191 A.2d 694 (1963). We recently discussed the meaning of intentional tort and intentional wrong in McGinn v. Valloti, ___ Pa.Super. ___, 525 A.2d 732 (1987), in which we held that an employee's cause of action for intentional fraudulent misrepresentation against a co-employee company doctor is not barred by the immunity provisions of Pa.Stat.Ann. tit. 77, § 72. [1] We held that the legislature intended the Workmen's Compensation Act to cover hazards normally expected to be present in the workplace, such as danger caused by an employer's knowing neglect of safety precautions, Higgins v. Clearing Machine Corp., 344 Pa.Super. 325, 496 A.2d 818 (1985); Evans v. Allentown Portland Cement Co., 433 Pa. 595, 252 A.2d 646 (1969), and was the exclusive remedy for injuries caused by those hazards. However, other hazards, such as an employer's physical assault on his employee, Readinger, supra, or intentional infliction of emotional distress, Jones v. PMA Insurance Co., supra , were not normally expected to present themselves in the workplace, and were therefore actionable. [2] However, we find that the intentional acts of appellee here caused only a hazard normally expected to be present in the workplace, and are therefore not actionable under the intentional torts exception. Appellant alleges that appellee intentionally concealed knowledge of previous burglaries and intentionally failed to provide adequate security, resulting in Ms. Brooks' death. It is well-settled, however, that an employer is not liable under the intentional tort exception for knowing neglect of safety precautions, Higgins, supra, or nondisclosure of the hazards of a particular workplace. See Millison v. E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., 101 N.J. 161, 501 A.2d 505 (1985).