Opinion ID: 2151691
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Bank's Motion for Summary Judgment Treated as Motion for Judgment on Pleadings

Text: Prior to ruling on the propriety of the district court's dismissal of Dossett's petition, we set forth the relevant procedural history of this case. In its answer to Dossett's petition, the bank alleged, as an affirmative defense, that Dossett's petition failed to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. Approximately 10 months later, the bank filed its motion for summary judgment. Although the bank's motion does not set forth the basis for the motion, during the summary judgment hearing, the bank outlined the basis for its motion for summary judgment to the district court. With respect to the adequacy of Dossett's petition, the bank's counsel argued that in order to proceed under this statute [§ 20-148], the plaintiff has to asserthave merits to assert a cause of action of a substantive nature. The bank did not contend it was entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law on the ground that there were no genuine issues of material fact. Rather, we understand the affirmative defense raised in the bank's answer and the bank's argument for summary judgment as a challenge to the sufficiency of the petition to state a cause of action. See, Rodriguez v. Nielsen, 259 Neb. 264, 609 N.W.2d 368 (2000); Hoch v. Prokop, 244 Neb. 443, 507 N.W.2d 626 (1993). We have held that a motion for summary judgment is not a proper method to challenge the sufficiency of a petition to state a cause of action. See, Rodriguez, supra; Ruwe v. Farmers Mut. United Ins. Co., 238 Neb. 67, 469 N.W.2d 129 (1991). When it has been asserted in a summary judgment motion that the petition of the opposing party has failed to state a cause of action, as far as that issue is concerned, the motion may be treated as one in fact for a judgment on the pleadings, notwithstanding its designation as something other than that. See, Rodriguez v. Nielsen, supra ; Hoch v. Prokop, supra . Because the substance of the bank's motion for summary judgment in effect challenged the sufficiency of Dossett's petition, we shall treat the motion as one for judgment on the pleadings. See id. Accordingly, we consider whether Dossett's petition states a cause of action.