Eric Dobransky sued EQT Production and Halliburton after a work injury. The defendants claimed they were "statutory employers" under Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act, which would shield them from lawsuits. The trial court agreed and dismissed the case. Pennsylvania's Superior Court reversed that decision, finding real questions about whether the defendants actually qualified for that protection. The case goes back to trial, meaning Dobransky gets his day in court and the statutory employer defense isn't automatic.
Don't assume a general contractor or service company has statutory employer immunity just because they claim it—courts must examine the actual working relationship and control over the job
If you're injured on a job, challenge any motion to dismiss based on statutory employer status; these defenses often fail at summary judgment when facts are disputed