Court Opinion

ID: 9732340
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:16:39.245458+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:22:41.547444
License: Public Domain

KELLY, Judge,
concurring:
I agree with the majority as to its disposition of appellant Eckenrod’s claim. Eckenrod failed to present evidence as to the nature or regularity of decedent’s exposure to asbestos, or evidence that decedent worked with asbestos products supplied or manufactured by appellees.
I differ, however, with the majority’s disposition of the appeal of appellant Gage Company. Gage Company, defendant in the court below, failed to file even a memorandum opposing a grant of the remaining defendants’ summary judgment motions. It is a longstanding tenet of appellate jurisprudence that a party may not ordinarily raise a claim for the first time at the appellate level. See Pa.R.A.P. 302(a); see also Marzullo v. Stop-N-Go Food Stores, 364 Pa.Super. 106, 109, 527 A.2d 550, 551 (1987); Valvano v. Galardi, 363 Pa.Super. 584, 592, 526 A.2d 1216, 1220 (1987). The rationale behind this principle is that the trial court in the first instance must be permitted the opportunity to address any arguments which a party may have. Szakmeister v. Szakmeister, 344 Pa.Super. 465, 496 A.2d 1199 (1984); Cherry v. Wilier, 317 Pa.Super. 58, 463 A.2d 1082 (1983). I would hold that appellant Gage Company waived its right to challenge the grant of summary judg*194ment by failing to challenge the co-defendants’ motion for summary judgment in the court below. See Pennsylvania Department of Transportation v. Phillips, 87 Pa.Cmwlth. 504, 488 A.2d 77 (1985).*

 In support of its position that Gage Company was not required to raise any challenge in the court below, the majority cites the rule that an order granting summary judgment is final and appealable. While this rule explains Gage’s failure to file post-verdict motions challenging the order granting summary judgment, it does not excuse Gage’s failure to challenge the co-defendants’ motions for summary judgment.