Opinion ID: 2287139
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: In its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion the trial court opined that the dismissal of the Pa.U.T.P.C.P.L. count against Mameco was an unappealable interlocutory order. The trial court characterized this count as merely a different theory of recovery against Mameco on its breach of warranty claim against Mameco. Trial Court Opinion at 2. The trial court cited Cloverleaf Development Inc. v. Horizon Financial FA, 347 Pa.Super. 75, 500 A.2d 163 (1985), in support of the general proposition that an order dismissing separate counts which merely assert alternate theories of recovery on a surviving cause of action, rather than dismissing a separate cause of action, is interlocutory and unappealable. So far, we agree. The trial court then proceeded to find that an action under 73 P.S. § 201-9.2 merely states an alternate theory in support of the breach of warranty claims which survived. No authority was cited for this proposition. To the contrary, however, this Court applying the test set forth in Cloverleaf Development, has twice held that a cause of action under the Pa.U.T.P.C.P.L. is separate and distinct from breach of contract causes of action arising from the same facts. See Gordon v. Pennsylvania Blue Shield, 378 Pa.Super. 256, 548 A.2d 600 (1988); Hardy v. Pennock Ins. Co., 365 Pa.Super. 206, 529 A.2d 471 (1987); cf. Neff v. Lasso, 382 Pa.Super. 487, 492 n. 2, 555 A.2d 1304, 1306 n. 2 (1989). Likewise, we find the instant cause of action under 73 P.S. § 201-9.2 to be separate from the three breach of warranty claims which survived. [2] Hence, the appeal is properly before this Court for review.