Bracken, T. v. Burchick Construction Co. ( 2014 )


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  • J-A28011-13
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    TONI BRACKEN, ADMINISTRATRIX OF                IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM BRACKEN,                       PENNSYLVANIA
    DECEASED
    v.
    BURCHICK CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,
    INC., PATENT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
    AND HARSCO CORPORATION
    APPEAL OF BURCHICK CONSTRUCTION
    COMPANY, INC.
    No. 1432 WDA 2012
    Appeal from the Judgment Entered September 14, 2012
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County
    Civil Division at No(s): GD-09-015529
    BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., PANELLA, J., and OLSON, J.
    MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, J.                       FILED OCTOBER 10, 2014
    Burchick Construction Company, Inc. (“Burchick”) appeals from the
    judgment entered September 14, 2012, in the Court of Common Pleas of
    Allegheny County.    At issue is whether Kusler Masonry, Inc. (“Kusler”)
    agreed to indemnify Burchick for liability stemming from Burchick’s
    negligence. If not, we must next decide whether Kusler agreed to indemnify
    Burchick for liability stemming from Kusler’s own negligence.
    Burchick was the general contractor for a construction project known
    as 135 Jamison Lane.     See Trial Court Opinion, 6/12/12, at 1. Burchick
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    entered into a subcontract with Kusler, wherein Kusler was responsible for
    the project’s associated masonry work. See id. at 1. Kusler employed the
    decedent, William Bracken.          See id. at 2.      Toni Bracken is Mr. Bracken’s
    spouse and administratrix of his estate. See id. While performing work on
    the project, Mr. Bracken was killed in a work site accident. See id. As a
    result, Mrs. Bracken filed a civil action against Burchick seeking damages
    pursuant to the Pennsylvania Wrongful Death and Survival Acts. See id.
    Subsequently, Burchick filed a complaint to join Kusler as an additional
    defendant asserting two causes of action:            contractual indemnification and
    breach of contract.         See Complaint to Join Additional Defendant Kusler
    Masonry, Inc., 1/8/10. The only claim at issue in the instant appeal is the
    contractual indemnification claim.           With respect to this claim, Burchick
    alleged that the underlying liability was caused, in whole or in part, by
    Kusler’s negligent acts or omissions. See id. at ¶¶ 17-18, 21.
    Kusler      filed    preliminary   objections     to   the   additional    defendant
    complaint, claiming immunity from third party indemnity claims pursuant to
    the Workers Compensation Act (“the Act”).                   See Kusler’s Preliminary
    Objections, 2/9/10, at ¶¶ 5-10.               The trial court sustained Kusler’s
    preliminary objections on July 15, 2010, thus dismissing the additional
    defendant complaint. See Trial Court Order, 7/15/10.
    Thereafter, Burchick filed a motion for leave to file an amended
    complaint   to     join    Kusler   based    on   an    alleged    materially    changed
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    circumstance in litigation.1 See Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint
    to Join Kusler Masonry, Inc., 2/28/12.           Burchick again claimed that the
    terms of the subcontract agreement required Kusler to indemnify Burchick.
    See id. at ¶ 13. Kusler opposed the motion, citing the immunity provided by
    the Act. See Response in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Leave to File
    Amended Complaint, 3/5/12. The trial court sided with Kusler and denied
    the motion. See Trial Court Order, 6/13/12.
    The matter proceeded to trial in August 2012; however, Burchick and
    the Brackens settled before a verdict was reached. Burchick filed a motion
    for post-trial relief asking the trial court to vacate its July 15, 2010, and June
    13, 2012, orders so that Burchick could file an amended complaint to join
    Kusler. See Burchick’s Motion for Post-Trial Relief, 9/4/14. The trial court
    denied this request. See Trial Court Order, 9/7/12.           This timely appeal
    followed.
    Burchick raises the following issue for our review:
    Whether the lower court should have granted [Burchick’s]
    request to join the [Appellee’s] employer, [Kusler], as an
    additional defendant in this matter where the subcontractor
    agreement between [Burchick] and Kusler requires Kusler to
    indemnify Burchick for claims asserted in the tort action by
    [Appellee?]
    Burchick’s Brief at 5.
    ____________________________________________
    1
    This alleged circumstances involve Kusler’s alleged obligation to provide
    additional insurance to Burchick.
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    Since this appeal stems from the grant of preliminary objections, we
    are guided by the following standard:
    In determining whether the trial court properly sustained
    preliminary objections, the appellate court must examine the
    averments in the complaint, together with the documents and
    exhibits attached thereto, in order to evaluate the sufficiency of
    the facts averred. The impetus of our inquiry is to determine the
    legal sufficiency of the complaint and whether the pleading
    would permit recovery if ultimately proven. This Court will
    reverse the trial court's decision regarding preliminary objections
    only where there has been an error of law or abuse of discretion.
    When sustaining the trial court's ruling will result in the denial of
    [a] claim or a dismissal of suit, preliminary objections will be
    sustained only where the case is free and clear of doubt.
    Floors, Inc. v. Atlig, 
    963 A.2d 912
    , 915 (Pa. Super. 2009) (citation
    omitted).
    The parties’ relationship was governed by a subcontract agreement
    dated June 27, 2007.     Relying upon Articles IV and VI of the agreement,
    Burchick claims that it imposes indemnification liability on Kusler for
    Burchick’s negligence.    Alternatively, Burchick suggests Kusler agreed to
    indemnify Burchick to the extent the instant liability stems from Kusler’s own
    negligence. Before addressing these claims, we must first discuss the Act’s
    immunity provision as well as relevant case law.
    The Act requires an employer to purchase workers’ compensation
    insurance in the event of workplace injuries.      Participating employers are
    protected from further liability since the Act makes these insurance benefits
    the sole and exclusive means of recovery against an employer for workplace
    injuries. See 77 PA.CONS.STAT.ANN. § 481(a). However, the Act allows an
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    employer to waive this immunity by entering into an indemnity contract with
    a third party wherein the employer agrees to assume such liability that
    occurs to the employer’s employees. The relevant provision provides:
    In the event injury or death to an employe is caused by a third
    party, then such employe, his legal representative, husband or
    wife, parents, dependents, next of kin, and anyone otherwise
    entitled to receive damages by reason thereof, may bring their
    action at law against such third party, but the employer…shall
    not be liable to a third party for damages, contribution, or
    indemnity in any action at law, or otherwise, unless liability for
    such damages, contributions or indemnity shall be expressly
    provided for in a written contract entered into by the party
    alleged to be liable prior to the date of the occurrence which
    gave rise to the action.
    77 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. § 481(b) (emphasis added).
    The practical effect of this provision is to prevent the involuntary
    joinder of an employer in an action involving injury or death to its employee
    unless the employer waives such right by agreeing with a third party to
    assume    indemnity   liability   via   contract.   While   the   Act    permits
    indemnification contracts in this context, these contracts “are not favored in
    the law and every intendment must be construed against the party seeking
    protection from liability or indemnification from the employer.”        Snare v.
    Ebensburg Power Co., 
    637 A.2d 296
    , 298 (Pa. Super. 1993) (citations
    omitted). In order to waive immunity provided by the Act, the parties must
    use clear and unequivocal language providing the employer/indemnitor will
    indemnify a third party against claims by employees of the indemnitor. See
    
    id.
     (citing Bester v. Essex Crane Rental Corp., 
    619 A.2d 304
     (Pa. Super.
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    1993)).   Thus, “general indemnity language such as ‘any or all’ or ‘any
    nature whatsoever’ is insufficient.”    Bester, 
    619 A.2d at 307
     (citation
    omitted). In addition, when faced with a claim that an agreement requires
    the indemnitor to indemnify and indemnitee for liability arising from the
    indmenitee’s own negligence, such intent must also be evident from the
    express language of the contract.      See 
    id. at 308-309
     (“[C]ontracting
    parties must specifically use language which demonstrates that a named
    employer agrees to indemnify a named third party from liability for acts of
    that third party’s own negligence which result in harm to the employees of
    the named employer.”).
    The requirement of clear and unequivocal contractual language to
    impose indemnification liability based on the negligent acts of an indemnitee
    is a long-established policy.   See Perry v. Payne, 
    66 A. 553
     (Pa. 1907);
    Ruzzi v. Butler Petroleum Co., 
    588 A.2d 1
     (Pa. 1991).        It is necessary
    because “[t]he liability on such indemnity is so hazardous, and the character
    of the indemnity so unusual and extraordinary, that there can be no
    presumption that the indemnitor intended to assume the responsibility
    unless the contract puts it beyond doubt by express stipulation.” Perry, 66
    A. at 557. This policy sometimes requires a reviewing court to disregard the
    plain meaning of a clause, as discussed by our Court in Deskiewicz v.
    Zenith Radio Corp.:
    A fundamental rule of construction in the law of contracts states
    that words, phrases and clauses will be given their plain and
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    ordinary expressed meaning. If this is so, then this particular
    area of law, indemnification for damages or injuries arising from
    negligent acts, could be thought of as an exception to the
    general rule. If literal effect was given to these clauses then
    indemnification would be enforced. Yet due to policy and
    practical considerations decisions have been handed down
    indicating that such generally worded indemnification clauses will
    not be construed to mean that the indemnitor will indemnify the
    indemnitee for liability resulting from the indemnitee's own
    negligence.
    
    561 A.2d 33
    , 35 (Pa. Super. 1989) (citation omitted).
    Lastly, while the case law requires clear an unequivocal language to
    establish both a waiver of immunity provided by the Act, as well as an intent
    to indemnify for liability stemming from an indemnitee’s negligence, “if the
    indemnification agreement is clear and includes indemnification in the event
    of   either   the   indemnitee’s   or   the   employer’s   own   negligence,   its
    enforceability does not require that the employer, in addition, expressly and
    in haec verba waive the immunity provided by [the Act].” Bester, 
    619 A.2d at 307
     (citation omitted).
    With these principles in mind, we turn our attention to the relevant
    contractual language at issue:
    ARTICLE IV:      Subcontractor’s Liability
    ***
    c. If any person (including employees of [Kusler]) suffers injury
    or death or property is damaged, lost or destroyed as a result, in
    whole or in part, of negligence (or other act for which there is
    legal liability) of [Kusler], his employees, agents or lower-tier
    subcontractors, then [Kusler] shall assume the entire liability
    therefore, and shall (at [Burchick’s] sole option) defend any
    action, pay all costs including attorney’s fees and satisfy any
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    judgment entered against [Burchick], and further agrees to hold
    [Burchick] and its agents, servants, employees and sureties
    harmless therefore. [Kusler’s] obligations under this Paragraph
    shall be in addition to any indemnity liability imposed by the
    Subcontract, including, without limitation, the Contract
    Documents.
    ***
    e. [Kusler’s] assumption of liability is independent from and not
    limited in any manner by…worker’s compensation acts….
    ***
    ARTICLE VI:       Indemnification
    a. To the full extent permitted by law, [Kusler] agrees to defend,
    indemnify and hold harmless [Burchick] and Owner…from and
    against any and all claims, demands, injuries, fines, penalties,
    losses, expenses (including attorney’s fees), damages and
    liabilities of every nature (including contractual liability
    “Losses”), arising from or relating to Work performed by [Kusler]
    on the Project…whether or not [Burchick] was alleged to be
    negligent, unless [Burchick] was alleged to be solely negligent.
    [Kusler’s] obligations under this Article shall be in addition to any
    independent liability imposed by the Contract Documents.
    Without limitation, this indemnity shall extend to Losses arising
    from [Kusler’s] violations of Laws.           [Kusler’s] indemnity
    obligations under this Paragraph shall not be limited by
    applicable worker’s compensation laws, and, with respect to this
    indemnity, [Kusler] hereby expressly waives all immunities and
    defenses that it may have under such Laws.
    Burchick Construction Company, Inc. Subcontract Agreement, 6/12/07, at 3-
    4.
    Burchick maintains that, when read together, Articles IV and VI evince
    Kusler’s intent to indemnify Burchick for injuries incurring to Kusler’s
    employee’s caused by Burchick’s negligence. Furthermore, Burchick claims
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    the following language was sufficient to waive Kusler’s employer immunity
    under the act:
    (1)   [I]n Article IV, Kusler agreed to assume “the entire
    liability” and to defend and to hold [Burchick] harmless in
    any action where a person, “including an employee of
    [Kusler],” suffers an injury or death as a result, in whole or
    in part, of Kusler’s negligence; and
    (2)   in Article VI, Kusler agreed to defend, indemnify and hold
    harmless [Burchick] from and against any and all claims
    “arising from or relating to Work performed by [Kusler] on
    the Project…whether or not [Burchick] was alleged to be
    negligent.”
    Burchick’s Brief at 11 (emphasis in original).
    Burchick also directs our attention to Hackman v. Moyer Packing,
    where our Court held that the following language sufficiently waived
    immunity under the Workers’ Compensation Act:
    [Indemnitor]…agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless
    [Indemnitee], its subsidiaries, affiliates, their directors, officers,
    agents, workmen, servants, or employees, against any and all
    claim or claims brought by the agents, workmen, servants or
    employees of [Indemnitor] for any alleged negligence or
    condition, caused or created, [in] whole or in part, by
    [Indemnitee].
    
    621 A.2d 166
    , 168 (Pa. Super. 1993).         Burchick alleges the language in
    Article IV is sufficiently similar to the Hackman provision to result in a
    waiver of Workers Compensation Act immunity. We disagree.
    The Hackman provision explicitly provides that “[Indemnitor] agrees
    to indemnify…[Indmenitee]…for any alleged negligence or condition, caused
    or created, [in] in whole or in part, by [Indemnitee].”           
    Id.
     (emphasis
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    added).    Such an express assumption of indemnification liability in
    Hackman is absent from the subcontract agreement in the instant case.
    Within Article IV, there is no specific language stating that Kusler would
    indemnify Burchick for liabilities arising from Burchick’s negligence, i.e.,
    language which explicitly states that Party A agrees to indemnify Party B for
    injuries caused to Party A’s employee by Party B’s negligence.        Instead,
    Article IV generally states that Kusler would assume “the entire liability” for
    as a result of negligence caused “in whole or in part” by Kusler. We are not
    persuaded that this general language is sufficient to meet the dictates of
    Bester. We turn our attention to Article VI.
    The trial court’s opinion discussed Article VI in depth, and determined
    that, when read as a whole, it fails to contain language that specifically
    states that Kusler agreed to indemnify Burchick from liability for acts of
    Burchick’s own negligence.    We see no error in this conclusion.     The trial
    court’s analysis focused, in part, on the “whether or not” clause located in
    Article VI to reach their conclusion that Kusler did not agree to indemnify
    Burchick for Burchick’s own negligence. The trial court stated:
    [W]hile apparently acknowledging that the “whether or
    not” language is insufficient, [Burchick] argues that this
    language when considered with “the Indemnification provision of
    Article VI as a whole … unequivocally and expressly” satisfies
    Bester’s stringent requirements.      [Burchick] thus implicitly
    argues that, taken as a whole, Article VI “specifically use[s]
    language which demonstrates” that Kusler has agreed to
    indemnify [Burchick] “for acts of [Burchick]’s own negligence
    which result in harm to employees of Kusler.”
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    Yet, apart from the “whether or not” clause (which, we are
    all agreed, is itself insufficient to do the job), there is nothing in
    the language of Article VI that addresses the subject of
    [Burchick]’s own negligence.         Article VI simply uses broad,
    general language of indemnification that the Supreme Court in
    Bester has held to be insufficient. For example, Article VI states
    that “to the extent permitted by law, the subcontractor agrees to
    defend, indemnify, … from and against any and all claims….” In
    short, even when considered as a whole, Article VI does not
    explicitly state that Kusler is obligated to indemnify [Burchick]
    for acts of Burchick’s own negligence.
    The Pennsylvania Supreme Court reached a similar result
    in Greer v. City of Philadelphia, 
    795 A.2d 376
    , 379 (Pa.
    2002), where the court also considered “whether or not”
    language. The contract in Geer “provide[d] indemnity from
    claims for damages ‘only to the extent caused in whole or in part
    by negligent acts or omissions of the [indemnitor]…and
    regardless of whether or not such claim…is caused in part by
    [the indemnitees]. The Supreme Court held that this clause did
    not require the indemnitor to indemnify the indemnitees for the
    indemnitees own negligence in any amount, not complete
    indemnity or partial indemnity. The Supreme Court concluded
    that the “contract simply does not put it beyond doubt by
    express stipulation that [the indemnitor] intended to indemnify
    [the indemnitees] for their own negligence.
    The Greer court further stated: “we read the…part of the
    provision, which states that the indemnity clause will apply
    ‘regardless of whether or not such claim…is caused in part by a
    party indemnified hereunder[,]’ merely to clarify that any
    contributory negligence by [the indemnitees] will not bar their
    indemnification for damages due to [the indemnitor’s]
    negligence.”
    Trial Court Opinion, 6/12/12, at 6-7 (some internal citations omitted).
    The language before the “whether or not” clause in Article VI
    explicitly states that Kusler will indemnify Burchick for negligence arising
    from Kusler’s work. We do not agree with Burchick that the resulting effect
    of the “whether or not” clause is to impose indemnification liability on Kusler
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    for negligence arising from Burchick’s work.         Instead, as in Greer, this
    clause merely clarifies that Kusler will indemnify Burchick for Kusler’s
    negligence, and that any contributory negligence that may be attributed to
    Burchick will not bar their indemnification for damages arising from Kusler’s
    negligence.2
    In sum, when read as a whole, Articles IV and VI fail to sufficiently
    express, by clear and unequivocal language, that Kusler agreed to indemnify
    Burchick for      Burchick’s    negligent acts.    Accordingly,   Burchick’s first
    argument fails.
    Burchick claims in his second argument that, at a minimum, the
    aforementioned language requires Kusler to indemnify it to the extent that
    Kusler was negligent.       See Burchick’s Brief at 12.    Before addressing the
    merits of this claim, we must first discuss Kusler’s contention that Burchick
    waived this argument by failing to raise the issue before the trial court and
    by failing to preserve the issue in its motion for post-trial relief.
    Generally, post-trial relief will not be granted for issues raised in pre-
    trial proceedings unless the underlying grounds are specifically stated in a
    post-trial motion.        See Pa.R.Civ.P. 227.1(b)(1)-(2).        During pre-trial
    ____________________________________________
    2
    The remainder of Article VI does not contain clear and unequivocal
    contractual language providing for indemnification based on the negligent
    acts of Burchick. While the final sentence of Article VI can be summarized
    as an attempt to generally waive all immunities under the Act, such waiver is
    ineffective since there is a lack of an express assumption of indemnification
    liability on the part of Kusler for the negligence acts of Burchick.
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    proceedings, Burchick attempted to join Kusler and an additional defendant
    on indemnification grounds on two separate occasions: first by an additional
    defendant complaint and second by a motion for leave to file amended
    complaint to join Kusler as an additional defendant.
    In the initial additional defendant complaint, Burchick specifically
    sought to join Kusler through a contractual indemnification claim for
    negligence arising from Kusler’s work on the project. See Complaint to Join
    Additional   Defendant    Kusler    Masonry,    Inc.,   1/8/10,    ¶¶    17-18.
    Furthermore, Burchick’s motion for post-trial relief specifically referenced the
    additional defendant complaint as the basis for Burchick’s indemnification
    claim.   See Motion for Post-Trial Relief, 9/4/12, at ¶¶ 3, 6, and 10.
    Accordingly, we find that Burchick has properly preserved this issue for
    review and thus proceed to the merits.
    In opposition to Burchick’s second claim that the subcontract requires
    Kusler to indemnify Burchick to the extent Kusler is liabile, Kusler contends
    that allowing such a claim to proceed would ignore the fundamental
    character of an indemnification claim.    See Appellee’s Brief at 29-31.     In
    support of this assertion, Kusler cites to the Black’s Law Dictionary definition
    of “indemnity,” as well as relevant case law setting forth the general nature
    of a claim of indemnity. We find these propositions unpersuasive since they
    generally relate to a claim arising out of common law indemnity. Common
    law indemnity concerns are irrelevant to our determination here since the
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    parties entered into a written contract of indemnity that specifically sets
    forth the rights and duties of each party to the contract.          See Eazor
    Express, Inc. v. Barkley, 
    272 A.2d 893
    , 895 (Pa. 1971) (“These [common
    law indemnification] cases, however, are not apposite where, as here, there
    is a written contract setting forth the rights and duties of the parties. The
    contract must govern.”). Thus, resolution of this issue is determined by the
    terms of the parties’ contract.
    In Article IV, the parties agreed that “[i]f any person (including
    employees of [Kusler]) suffers injury or death…as a result, in whole or in
    part, of negligence…of [Kusler], his employees, agents or lower-tier
    subcontractors, then [Kusler] shall assume the entire liability therefore…”
    Construction Company, Inc. Subcontract Agreement, 6/12/07, at 4.              By
    using this language, Kusler agreed to assume the entire liability for any
    injury or death incurred to its employees as a result of Kusler’s own
    negligence, whether the entire liability can be attributed to Kusler or only a
    portion thereof.    The provision defines the scope of indemnification by
    requiring Kusler to indemnify Burchick for the entire liability if the underlying
    liability is at least caused, in part, by Kusler’s negligence.
    Furthermore, in Article VI, Kusler agreed to indemnify Burchick
    “against any and all claims…arising from or relating to the Work performed
    by [Kusler] on the Project…whether or not [Burchick] was alleged to be
    negligent, unless [Burchick] was alleged to be solely negligent.”      
    Id.
     This
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    provision   further    clarifies   the   scope    of   the   indemnity   by   providing
    indemnification for the entire liability, even if Burchick is contributorily
    negligent but not solely negligent.
    Both articles are examples of intermediate form indemnity provisions.
    See Trisha Strode, From the Bottom of the Food Chain Looking Up:
    Subcontractors Are Finding That Additional Insured Endorsements Are Giving
    Them Much More Than They Bargained for, 
    23 St. Louis U. Pub. L. Rev. 697
    ,
    700 (2004); see also Nancy J. White, Death, Taxes, and .... Insurance:
    Current Legal Issues Relating to Insurance in the Construction Industry, 
    36 Real Est. L.J. 154
    , 157 (2007). “The intermediate form indemnity requires
    the indemnitor to save and hold harmless the indemnitee for all liability
    excluding that which arises out of the indemnitee's sole negligence.” Strode
    supra, 23 St. Louis. U. Pub. L. Rev. at 700.
    Currently, there is a dearth of Pennsylvania case law regarding the
    interpretation of intermediate form indemnity provisions. Notwithstanding,
    intermediate form indemnities are sufficiently similar to the broad form
    indemnities discussed in Perry, Ruzzi, and Bester that adoption of that
    analytical framework is proper in this case.            This is because intermediate
    form indemnities present the same concerns as broad form indemnities due
    to their unique nature and the potentially hazardous consequences of the
    resulting liability.
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    For instance, based on the terms of a standard intermediate form
    indemnity, if an indemnitor were found even one percent negligent, the
    indemnitor would be liable for the entire amount of liability. Based on this
    unusual and extraordinary result, we will not assume the indemnitor
    intended to assume this responsibility unless the express terms of the
    contract puts it beyond doubt.        Therefore, we require contracting parties
    who   desire    to    clearly   and   unequivocally       provide    that    (1)     the
    employer/indemnitor waive immunity under the Act by stating that the
    employer/indemnitor      will   indemnify   a    third   party   against    claims    by
    employees of the employer/indemnitor, and (2) the employer/indemnitor
    agrees to indemnify a third party for liability arising from acts of the
    employer/indemnitor which result in harm to the employer/indemnitor’s
    employees.
    With this standard in mind, we turn to the agreement. With respect to
    Article IV, we find that its language fails to specifically address indemnity
    liability. Instead, Article IV uses broad and general terms stating that Kusler
    would “assume the entire liability and … defend any action, pay all costs …
    and   satisfy   any    judgment.”     Burchick     Construction     Company,         Inc.
    Subcontract Agreement, 6/12/07, at 4. By using such generalized language,
    we cannot assume the parties intended to enter into an intermediate form
    indemnity agreement.
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    On the other hand, Article VI sufficiently waives immunity under the
    Act by providing for indemnification, and also specifically sets forth the
    terms of the indemnification.          In Article VI, Kusler agreed to indemnify
    Burchick for claims arising from Kusler’s work, so long as Burchick was not
    solely negligent.   Beyond this explicit intent to enter into an intermediate
    form indemnity, Kusler also explicitly waived the immunities provided by the
    Act.   See id. (“[Kusler]’s indemnity obligations under this Paragraph shall
    not be limited by applicable worker’s compensation laws, and, with respect
    to this indemnity, [Kusler] hereby expressly waives all immunities and
    defenses it may have under such Laws.”).           This language is sufficient to
    establish the parties’ intent to enter into an intermediate form indemnity
    agreement.
    Therefore, we find that Kusler agreed to indemnify Burchick for the
    entire liability if the liability stemmed from Kusler’s partial or sole
    negeligence. Since Burchick’s alleged indemnity claim stems from Kusler’s
    alleged sole or partial negligence, Burchick adequately pled this claim. Thus,
    the trial court erred by dismissing Burchick’s additional defendant complaint.
    Accordingly, we reverse the trial court order dismissing the additional
    defendant complaint, and remand the matter to the trial court for a
    determination regarding the extent, if any, of Kusler’s negligence for the
    underlying liability in this matter.
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    Judgment reversed.   Case remanded for proceedings consistent with
    this memorandum. Jurisdiction relinquished.
    President Judge Emeritus Ford Elliott joins the memorandum.
    Judge Olson files a dissenting memorandum.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 10/10/2014
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