Barnett v. SKF USA, Inc.

OPINION

Justice TODD.

In this appeal, we consider whether Section 514(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA” or the “Act”),1 29 U.S.C. § 1144(a), preempts the breach of contract claim asserted by Appellees Lawrence J. Barnett, Christine Cookenback, James M. Defeo, and Madlin Laurent against Appellant SKF USA, Inc. (“SKF” or “Company”) under Pennsylvania law. For the reasons stated below, we hold that Appellees’ claim is preempted, and, accordingly, we reverse the Superior Court’s order affirming the trial court’s denial of summary judgment in favor of SKF.

At all…