Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00914/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00914-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 12:635 Breach of Insurance Contract

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1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VICKIE GUERRA, etc., )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

vs. )

)

)

NORTH AMERICAN COMPANY FOR )

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE, )

et al., )

)

)

Defendant. )

)

)

No. CV-F-05-914 REC/LJO

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT'S

MOTION TO DISMISS AND

DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO FILE

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT 

On August 22, 2005, the court heard defendant North American

Company for Life and Health Insurance's motion to dismiss the

Second Cause of Action for breach of the implied covenant of good

faith and fair dealing for failure to state a claim upon which

relief can be granted. 

North American argues and plaintiff concedes that the 

Second Cause of Action is barred by the statute of limitations to

the extent that the Second Cause of Action alleges tortious

conduct by North American and prays for tort damages. However,

Case 1:05-cv-00914-REC-LJO Document 14 Filed 08/24/05 Page 1 of 2
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The court advises counsel for plaintiff that he must timely 1

comply with court orders, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and

the Local Rules of Practice. Failure to do so may result in the

imposition of sanctions, including the sanction of dismissal.

2

plaintiff argues, because an alleged breach of the covenant of

good faith and fair dealing can also be based on contract,

plaintiff contends that the court should deny the motion to

dismiss, the appropriate procedural vehicle being a motion to

strike. 

The court will not deny the motion to dismiss on this basis. 

Rather, the court grants the motion to dismiss and dismisses the

Second Cause of Action with leave to amend to allege a claim for

breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing based

solely on contract principles.1

ACCORDINGLY:

1. Defendant North American Company for Life and Health

Insurance's motion to dismiss the Second Cause of Action is

granted with leave to amend.

2. Plaintiff shall file a First Amended Complaint pursuant

to this Order within 30 days of the filing date of this Order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 24, 2005 /s/ Robert E. Coyle 

668554 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-00914-REC-LJO Document 14 Filed 08/24/05 Page 2 of 2