OPINION NUNC PRO TUNC
Opinion by
On thе Court’s own motion, we issue this nunc pro tunc opinion to correct clerical errors in our October 31, 2003 opinion. The following is the new opinion of the court.
JERUTHA PRATT SHAW, as Personal Representative of the Heirs and Estate of CHARLES PRATT, Deceased, VALARIE JACKSON, MARY COLEMAN, FREDERICK NEWMAN, LULA MAE NEWMAN, LOUVENIA MEDLOCK, HARVEY NEWMAN, and ERNEST NEWMAN, appellants, bring this appeal from the trial court’s order granting the motion of PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION, appellee, for Summary Judgment and dismissal with prejudice of appellants’ suit for personal injuries suffered by the deceased while working on appel-lee’s premises.
In three issues on appeal, appellants claim that the grant of the motion for summary judgment was improper because: (1) a waiver and release in an agreement signed by the decedent did not extend to a negligence claim against appellee because appellee was not a third-party beneficiary of that agreement; (2) appellee was not a third-party beneficiary of the agreement signed by the decedent, therefore appellee was not entitled to summary judgment on the grounds of ratification, the doctrine of quasi-estoppel and acceрtance of benefits, or the doctrine of election of remedies; and (3) there was a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the decedent was required to sign a new plan agreement annually in order for the waiver and release to continue in effect. For the reasons that follow, we resolve appellants’ issues adversely to them. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Charles Pratt, Jr., was an employee of B & C Concrete, Inc. B & C was a small concrete pouring and finishing company. Pratt died August 3, 2000, as a result of injuries he received after falling into a pit of toxic chemicals while he was working for B & C on appellee’s premises in Dallas. *828 At the time of Pratt’s death, B & C did not have workers’ compensation insurance. As a nonsubscribing employer, B & C offered its employees voluntary participation in an Occupational Accident Employee Welfare Benefit Plan (“the Plan”). After his death, Pratt’s medical expenses and an accidental death benefit were paid in accordance with the Plan’s terms.
Appellants brought suit against appellee and others for Pratt’s injuries. Appellee argued that appellants’ action was barred by the waiver and release language in the agreement to participate in the Plan which was signed by Pratt before his death (“the Agreement”). This Agreement was signed March 4,1999. 1
The Agreement discloses to the employee that the employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, that, as a result, he may have certain common law rights, and that the employer offers the benefits of the Plan instead of the common law rights. The Agreement refers to the Summary Plan Description which generally describes the Plan benefits and indicates that the Plan is governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Sеcurity Act of 1974). The Summary states that in order to obtain a complete description of benefits, the Plan Document and Adoption Agreement should be consulted.
The specific premise espoused by appel-lee in support of its motion for summary judgment is that when Charles Pratt signed the Agreement, he waived all common law claims against the persons identified, i.e. “the Company, its successors, assigns, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and clients.” Appel-lee, Pilgrim’s Pride, claims it is a “client” and because of that status, any claims аgainst it are waived. Also, appellee claimed it was entitled to summary judgment on the grounds of ratification, the doctrine of quasi-estoppel and acceptance of benefits, and the doctrine of election of remedies. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of appellee without specifying the grounds.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standards for reviewing a summary judgment are well established. The party moving for summary judgment has the burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
See
Tex.R. Civ.p. 166a(c);
Nixon v. Mr. Prop. Mgmt. Co.,
Applicable law
To resolve the issues in this appeal, we must interpret the waiver provision contained in the Agreement signed by the decedent. Appellants do not claim the Agreement is ambiguous. It is a basic premise of contract interpretation that unambiguous contracts are construed as a matter of law.
Coker v. Coker,
When interpreting a contract, we examine the entire agreement in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all provisions of the contract so that none will be meaningless.
MCI Telecomms. Corp. v. Tex. Util. Elec. Co.,
WAIVER AND RELEASE
In their first issue, appellants argue that summary judgment on the basis of waiver and release is improper because appellee is not a third-party beneficiary of the Agreement containing the waiver and release. They assert that to construe the Agreement to apply to appellee would frustrate the subrogation and assignment provisions of the Agreement.
A) Third — Party Beneficiary
Appellants cite MCI Telecommunications Corp. v. Texas Utilities Electric Co., for the propositions that: (1) there is a presumption against third-party beneficiary agreements; (2) a third party may recover on a contract only if the contracting parties entered into the contract directly for the third party’s benefit; and (3) “[i]n determining whether a third party can enforce a contract, the intention of the contracting parties is controlling.” Id. at 651.
*830 In MCI, TU sought to recover attorney’s fees fоr the breach of a contract between MCI and Missouri Pacific Railroad. TU’s predecessor had built an electric transmission line along a right of way in accordance with a license agreement with MoPac’s predecessor. Twelve years later MoPac granted MCI the right to construct its fiber optic system along the same right of way. The contract between MoPac and MCI provided that MCI would “secure such permission as may be necessary on account of any other existing rights in any third party (including, without limitation, rights of ... licensees ...).... MCI hereby agrees to exercise the herein granted rights in such a manner as not to interfere in any way with any existing prior rights.” Id. at 649. TU’s poles were damaged by MCI’s actions in laying its cable. TU sued MCI for negligence and breach of contract, and sought to recover its attorney’s fees on the breach of contract claim. TU claimed it was a third-party beneficiary of the contract as a prior licensee. However, the contract explicitly provided in section 26(c) that “neither this Agreement, nor any term or provision hereof, nor any inclusion by reference, shall be construed as being for the benefit of any party not in signatory hereto.” Id. at 649-50. “[S]ection 26(c) explicitly states that the contract is not to be interpreted as conferring any benefits on nonsignatory parties. This section reflects the intention of the parties that there be no third-party beneficiaries to the contract.” Id. at 652. Thus, the court concluded that TU was not a third-party beneficiary of the contract between MoPac and MCI granting MCI a right of way.
In contrast, appellee cites cases in which a third party was held to be a third-party benefiсiary of a waiver and release.
Temple EasTex, Inc. v. Old Orchard Creek Partners, Ltd.,
The waiver in the Agreement signed by the decedent, which we must construe, explicitly states that by choosing to participate in the employer’s Plan, the еmployee agrees “to accept the Plan benefits as the only benefits you are entitled to receive in the event of a work-related injury and to waive any and all other causes of action, claims, rights, and demands that you could make against the Company, its successors, assigns, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and clients.” Appel-lee argues that it is entitled to claim the benefit of this waiver as a third-party beneficiary since it is a “client” of B & C, the employer.
*831 We reject appellant’s assertion that the MCI case requires that we hold appellee is not a third-party beneficiary. That case turned on express language which stated that the contract was only for the benefit of the signatories. The cases cited by appellee reflect agreements containing language with similar meaning as the waiver before us today when applied to non signatories. Consistent with Tenvple EasTex, Inc., we conclude that the listing of the entities within the language of the waiver reveals the parties’ intent that the waiver provision extends to all of those entities. The waiver plainly extends to “clients.”
Appellee argues further that regardless of whether it is a third-party beneficiary under the Agreement, it has established its affirmative defense of waiver as a matter of law. “The elements of waiver include (1) an existing right, benefit, or advantage; (2) a knowledge, actual or constructive, of its existence; and (3) an actual intention to relinquish it (which can be inferred from conduct).”
Vessels v. An-schutz Corp.,
Appellee maintains that the existence of decedent’s rights under the common law of Texas, knowledge of those rights and the intentional waiver of those rights, are all contained in the waiver in the Agreement that was signed by decedent. Thus, thе waiver in the Agreement signed by the decedent expresses his intent to relinquish his right to sue “clients” of his employer. Also, we note that summary judgments based on similar pre-inju-ry waivers have been upheld against employees in lawsuits with their employers.
See, e.g., Lawrence v. CDB Sews., Inc.,
We agree with appellee. Even if we had concluded that appellee was not a third-party beneficiary, the waiver was effective to relinquish decedent’s rights to sue the “clients” of his employer.
B) Meaning of the Term “Client” and Conflict with Other Agreement Terms
In oral argument, appellants acknowledged that apрellee was a “client” of B & C. However, appellants contend that appellee was not a “client” for the purposes of the waiver in the Agreement signed by the decedent in an action against appellee based on allegations of appellee’s own negligence. Specifically, appellants tell us that to interpret the term “client” to include appellee would frustrate the purposes of the Agreement as a whole because it would defeat a subrogation provision in favor of the MEGA Life and Health insurance company in the MEGA Life policy which funds the Plan as well as a separate assignment provision in the Plan Agreement.
Appellants assert that to harmonize the subrogation, assignment, and waiver terms of the Agreement, the waiver provision must be construed to exclude direct claims of negligence against third parties. Otherwise, appellants say, the subrogation and assignment rights would be meaningless. In support of this position, appellants rely on the rule of contract construction that “[w]hen interpreting a contract, we examine the entire agreement in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all provisions of the contract so that none will be meaningless.”
MCI Telecomms. Corp.,
In response to appellants’ argument, ap-pellee asserts that the Agreement does not contain inconsistent provisions in need of reconciliation. Rather, the assignment and subrogation provisions apply to any claims the employee could assert against negligent third parties other than clients of B & C and the other entities expressly named in the waiver. In support of that proposition, appellee says we should consider that appellants have sued F-M Metals, a sub-contractor whom appellee asserts is not covered by the terms of the waiver.
In urging its position that the term “client” must be narrowly construеd to exclude appellee, appellants place substantial reliance on this Court’s decision in
Jenkens & Gilchrist v. Riggs,
Appellants assert that we should apply the reasoning in
Jenkens
to interpret the waiver to apply only to “clients” for whom B & C would be vicariously liable. They tell us that the term “clients” could include appellee for some purposes, but not others. Further, appellants say that such an interpretation will reconcile otherwise inconsistent provisions of the Agreement. In response, appellee says
Jenkens
cannot apply here and is distinguishable. Appel-lee argues that courts interрret arbitration clauses more narrowly than pre-injury releases since arbitration agreements involve the forfeiture of the constitutional protections of the judicial system.
Jenkens,
In addition to the distinction suggested by appellee, we note that, in Jenkens, this Court did not broadly state that an “agent” must be an entity for whose actions the principal could be vicariously liable. Rather, the interpretation was based upon the unique facts of the case. In discussing whether Jenkens was an “agent” of WFAA under the arbitration agreement and in the context of the malpraсtice claim, this Court concluded that Jenkens was an independent contractor. This Court reasoned that although WFAA hired the lawyers to provide advice to it and Riggs, lawyers are independent contractors since in giving legal advice they could never perform as an agent of WFAA. A lawyer cannot vest in a third *833 party the control necessary to render the third party vicariously liable for the lawyer’s conduct. Id. at 202. The interpretation of that term in the context of the arbitration agreement in Jenkens required a deliberate evaluation of the implicаtions of construing the term to include any “agent,” as contrasted with only those “agents” for whom the employer would be vicariously liable.
In the case before us, we must determine the meaning of the term “client” even though it is not defined in the Agreement. Where terms are not defined in agreements, we will use the plain, ordinary and generally accepted meaning attributed to the term or word.
Heritage Res. Inc.,
In the final analysis, appellants have asked us to graft the restrictions of vicarious liability which we concluded existed for the term “agent” in the
Jenkens
case, onto the term “client” as usеd here. However, this we cannot do. The meaning of the term “client” is distinct from that of the term “agent.” “An agent is one who consents to act on behalf of and subject to the control of another, the principal, who has manifested consent that the agent shall so act.”
West v. Touchstone,
We conclude that the plain meaning of the term “client” includes appellee. Further, the waiver of claims against “clients” does not destroy the assignment and sub-rogation provisions of the Agreement. Thus, the waiver does not create a conflict within the document itself and does not require that the meaning of the term “clients” be limited as appellants argue. Appellants’ first issue is decided adversely to them.
ADDITIONAL GROUNDS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Appellants argue in their second issue on appeal that appellee is not entitled to summary judgment on the grounds of ratification, the doctrine of quasi-estoppel and acceptance of benefits, or the doctrine of election of remedies because these grounds all depend on appellee’s status as a third-party beneficiary of the Plan Agreement. Because we conclude that appellee was entitled to summary judgment on the affirmative defense of waiver, we do not reach this issue.
GENUINE ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACT
In their third issue on appeal, appellants argue both that the Agreement *834 signed by the decedent in 1999 was not in effect when he was injured, and that there is a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether the decedent was required to sign a Plan Agreement each and every year he wished to enroll in the Plan.
It is clear that appellee has the burden of proof on its affirmative defenses in a motion for summary judgment.
See Roark v. Stallworth Oil and Gas, Inc.,
On March 4, 1999, when the decedent signed the Agreement containing the waiver and release, he also signed a beneficiary designation form. This beneficiary designation form refers to group policy number UDB 248, under which benefits are payable. An undated schedule of benefits form, which is signed by the decedent, recites that it is effective January 11, 1999, and refers to this insurance policy. This policy apparently expired and was replaced by group insurance policy number UDC 248, but there were no forms signed by the decedent which reference this later group policy. Essentially, appellants argue that because the insurance policy which was in effect when the decedent signed the Agreement was not in effect when the decedent was injured, the Agreement containing the waiver wаs no longer in effect. Appellants argue that the insurance policies are synonymous with the Plan and that when the group insurance policy funding the Plan changed, the Plan itself changed and a new, signed Agreement was necessary.
In reviewing these arguments we are guided by the proposition that although “[u]nder generally accepted principles of contract interpretation, all writings that pertain to the same transaction will be considered together ... this rule is simply a device for ascertaining and giving effect to the intention of the parties аnd cannot be applied arbitrarily.”
DeWitt County Elec. Co-op v. Parks,
Next, appellants argue that appel-lee has failed to meet its burden of proof on its affirmative defense of waiver for the purposes of obtaining summary judgment because there is a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether the decedent was required to execute a Plan Agreement annually. In support of its affirmative defense, appellee offered in evidence the Agreement containing a waiver dated March 4, 1999 bearing the decedent’s signature. Appellee also offered the testimony of one of B & C’s owners that it was not *835 the usual practice of B & C to require that employees annually sign Plan Agreements. 2 Appellants acknowledge the Plan documents are silent as to any requirement for annual releases, but they argue silence does not prove annual releases are not required. Moreover, appellants argue that a fact issue regarding whether annual waivers are required is created by the existence of an Agreement dated 2000 which purported to bear the decedent’s signature, but is claimed to be a forgery, and by the existence of a signed beneficiary designation form in 1999 which refers to a specific insurance policy.
Appellee counters that the Agreement does not require that it be signed annually, nor do the Summary Plan Description or the group insurance policy require that employees sign Plan Agreements annually. Appellee points out this Plan is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, ERISA, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1469, which requires such plans to be in writing. Finally, appellee cites this Court to a seventh circuit case for the proposition that informal procedures which contradict the terms of a Plan are prohibited under ERISA.
Schoonmaker v. Employee Sav.
's
Plan,
Regardless of whether a requirement that waivers be signed annually would contradict the terms of the Plan, appellants have not shown that there is a fact issue regarding whether annual waivers are required. The existence of a beneficiary designation form referring to a ■ specific group insurance policy which funds the Company’s obligations under the Plan does not affect the terms of the Agreement. Likewise, the existence of an allegedly forged Plan Agreement dated in 2000, does not create a fact issue regarding whether annual Agreements are required when the terms of the Agreement and Summary Plan Description do not require that Agreements be signed annually.
Appellants’ third issue is resolved against them.
Having resolved appellants’ first and third issues adversely to them, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Notes
. Portions of the Agreement which are pertinent to this discussion are set forth below:
As a result of the Company not having workers' compensation insurance coverage, you may have certain rights under the common laws of Texas for damages arising out of work-related illness or injury. If, however, you choose to participate in the Company’s Occupational Accident Employee Welfare Benefit Plan by requesting the benefits provided by the Plan, you hereby agree to accept the Plan benefits as the only benefits you are entitled to receive in the event of a work-related injury and to waive any and all other causes of action, claims, rights, and demands that you could make against the Company, its successors, assigns, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and clients.
Further, by executing this agreement, and in consideration of your participation in the Company’s Occupational Accident Employee Welfare Benefit Plan, you hereby agree that all funds received by you under the terms of this Plan will inure to or be to the advantage of and for the benefit of the Company in the event of litigation. If a third party may be liable for an injury to you in your status as an employee of the Company and you may have rights of recovery for damages, by your execution of this Agreement, you do hereby agree to execute an assignment of rights document for the purpose of allowing the Company to recover any payments it may have made to you or on your behalf in connection with the injury.
. Evidence which favors the movant’s position is not considered unless it is uncontra-dicted. If such uncontradicted evidence is from an interested witness, it cannot be considered as doing more than raising an issue of fact, unless it is clear, direct and positive and there are no circumstances in evidence tending to discredit or impeach such testimony.
Great Am. Reserve Ins. Co. v. San Antonio Plumbing Supply,