Definition of ''Capricious Disregard''

In Arena v. Packaging Systems Corp., 510 Pa. 34, 38, 507 A.2d 18, 20 (1986), our Supreme Court described capricious disregard as a "deliberate disregard of competent testimony and relevant evidence which one of ordinary intelligence could not possibly have avoided in reaching a result." This limited aspect of review serves only to ensure that an administrative adjudication is conducted within lawful boundaries; it is not to be applied in such a manner to intrude on the agency fact-finding role and discretionary decision-making authority. Leon E. Wintermyer, Inc. v. Workers' Comp. Appeal Bd. (Marlowe), 571 Pa. 189, 812 A.2d 478 (2002).