Despite the existence of a financial relationship between an arbitrator and an insurance company lawyer involved in an arbitration, it did not affect the outcome of the case, an appeals court has ruled.

A three-judge Superior Court panel upheld a Luzerne County judge’s denial of summary judgment requested by Patricia and Stanley Neishel against Erie Insurance Exchange. The Neishels sought to vacate a $35,000 arbitration award granted by arbitrator Enid Harris, who had previously worked as an independent contractor for Erie’s attorney in the case.