Court Opinion

ID: 9699295
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 20:18:20.617047+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:48.574100
License: Public Domain

CAVANAUGH, Judge,
dissenting:
While I agree with the majority that Steven Fern and the Usslers were co-employees of McCabe Auto Supply, for purposes of application of 77 P.S. § 72 Liability of fellow employe, I find no authority for the proposition in the majority opinion that “the act or omission must occur while both employees are in the performance of their duties as employees”. (Majority opinion at page 899).1
I read the language of 77 P.S. § 72 as broadly comprehensive and inclusive of the facts of this case where Fern, when on the staircase, was in the course and scope of his employment. Appellant is nothing more than a fellow employee of the Usslers who were tenants of the structure, including the staircase in question. I, therefore, see no fact issue for jury determination and would affirm the trial court’s entry of summary judgment.

. The true focus of co-employee immunity is whether the injury occurred while the employee is actually engaged in the performance of his job. Heath v. Church's Fried Chicken, Inc., 519 Pa. 274, 546 A.2d 1120 (1988); Lewis v. School District of Philadelphia, 517 Pa. 461, 538 A.2d 862 (1988).