Court Opinion

ID: 9846696
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:45:46.589036+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:43.876237
License: Public Domain

*547KITTREDGE, J.:
I concur. However, I write separately to express my concern with the jurisdiction of this court to entertain this appeal. In my judgment, Appellant’s challenge on appeal is limited to the circuit court’s failure to grant him summary judgment.22 The refusal to grant summary judgment is not appealable. Olson v. Faculty House of Carolina, 354 S.C. 161, 580 S.E.2d 440 (2003); Ballenger v. Bowen, 313 S.C. 476, 443 S.E.2d 379 (1994).
Pursuant to cross-motions for summary judgment, the circuit court granted Respondent’s motion. On appeal, Appellant claims error solely on the basis that the underlying action was barred as a matter of law by the exclusive remedy provision of the Workers’ Compensation Act and because he owed no duty of care to Respondent’s husband. It is significant to note that these issues, as recognized by the majority, are predominantly fact-driven. See Nelson v. Yellow Cab Co., 349 S.C. 589, 594, 564 S.E.2d 110, 112 (2002) (“Whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor is a fact-specific matter resolved by applying certain established principles.”); Tumblin v. Ball-Incon Glass Packaging Corp., 324 S.C. 359, 365, 478 S.E.2d 81, 85 (Ct.App.1996) (“The existence of a physician-patient relationship is a question of fact for the jury.”). The final brief and reply brief of Appellant make no claim that there *548exists a genuine issue as to any material fact. As the majority correctly concludes, Appellant “does not contend that questions of fact remain in this case.” In reaching the merits of this appeal, the majority is essentially rehearing the cross-motions for summary judgment. I believe we have neither the authority to reconsider the denial of Appellant’s summary judgment motion nor the authority to grant him judgment as a matter of law on the fact-specific issues presented.
Thus, the issue as presented by Appellant is the functional equivalent of an appeal of the refusal to grant summary judgment. I would decline to address the merits and dismiss the appeal.

. This is not an appeal from a merits hearing. The appeal comes to us in the posture of a grant of summary judgment. While Appellant’s final brief and reply brief purport to appeal from the circuit court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Respondent, his argument is focused solely on the lower court’s failure to grant him judgment as a matter of law.