Court Opinion

ID: 9709659
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:52:48.073117+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:50.716674
License: Public Domain

ZAPPALA, Justice,
concurring.
I concur in the result reached by the majority today, but am compelled to write separately to emphasize that this appeal may have mandated a different result if International Harvester Company had filed a claim based on joint or several liability against the Appellants. Since International Harvester Company did not, it cannot complain during the retrial about any prejudice if any prejudice exists. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Appellees have not been prejudiced by the lower court’s ruling as so indicated by the majority today, for the purpose of Rule 2232 is to give a defendant the opportunity to present all evidence demonstrating that the co-defendant may be liable. It is of no consequence that the Appellees may have been prejudiced, because initially the Appellees failed to establish a prima facie case against International Harvester.
The Appellees filed a Complaint with alternative claims for recovery. It was incumbent upon the Appellees to sustain their burden of proof for both alternate theories. It is obvious from the lower court’s opinion that insufficient evidence was offered to raise an issue based on products liability. Accordingly, the lower court did not err in refusing to permit the jury to consider the Appellees’ claim against International Harvester Company.
Accordingly, I join in with the majority’s opinion and order today reversing the Superior Court and remanding the matter to that court for disposition of all the remaining claims.