Opinion ID: 2016496
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: dismissal of crow's action

Text: When Giebelhauses demurred to Crow's petition because it [did] not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, the court sustained the Giebelhaus demurrer and thereupon dismissed the action without affording Crow an opportunity to amend his petition. In an attempt to justify the district court's sustaining their demurrer, the Giebelhauses, in substance, contend that Crow cannot maintain a negligence action against them because Crow was an employee of Wyuka Cemetery when the accident and injuries occurred. However, Giebelhauses' position and contention are inconsistent with Nebraska's longstanding recognition of an employee's right to maintain a negligence action for common-law liability of third parties outside and notwithstanding the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act. See, Turner v. Metro Area Transit, 220 Neb. 189, 368 N.W.2d 809 (1985); Danner v. Walters, 154 Neb. 506, 48 N.W.2d 635 (1951); Thomas v. Otis Elevator Co., 103 Neb. 401, 172 N.W. 53 (1919); Muncaster v. Graham Ice Cream Co., 103 Neb. 379, 172 N.W. 52 (1919). Cf. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 48-111 (Reissue 1988) (employer's general exemption from liability in an employee's action outside the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act). In Crow's appeal, however, the important feature of the district court's ruling is not the question of correctness in sustaining the Giebelhaus demurrer, but, rather, the manner in which the court disposed of the proceedings by dismissing Crow's action. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-854 (Reissue 1989) states, If the demurrer be sustained, the adverse party may amend, if the defect can be remedied by way of amendment, with or without costs, as the court in its discretion shall direct. Hence, if a demurrer to a petition is sustained and the defective pleading can be remedied by amendment, the plaintiff may amend, with or without assessment of costs, as the court in its discretion may direct. See St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Touche Ross & Co., 234 Neb. 789, 452 N.W.2d 746 (1990). When a demurrer to a petition is sustained, a court must grant a plaintiff leave to amend the petition unless it is clear that no reasonable possibility exists that repleading will correct the defective petition. See, Pappas v. Sommer, 240 Neb. 609, 483 N.W.2d 146 (1992); Kane v. Vodicka, 238 Neb. 436, 471 N.W.2d 136 (1991); Schmuecker Bros. Implement v. Sobotka, 217 Neb. 114, 348 N.W.2d 130 (1984); Fowler v. Nat. Bank of Commerce, 209 Neb. 861, 312 N.W.2d 269 (1981); Newman Grove Creamery Co. v. Deaver, 208 Neb. 178, 302 N.W.2d 697 (1981). After a demurrer has been sustained, but there is a reasonable possibility that a defective petition may be cured by amendment, denying the plaintiff the opportunity to replead is an abuse of discretion. See Cagle, Inc. v. Sammons, 198 Neb. 595, 254 N.W.2d 398 (1977). In Crow's case, after the court sustained the Giebelhaus demurrer, the court immediately dismissed Crow's action without affording Crow the opportunity to amend his petition. Under the circumstances, and assuming that sustaining the demurrer was proper in the first instance, we are unable to conclude that Crow cannot allege a negligence cause of action against Giebelhauses if Crow has not already done so in his petition challenged by the Giebelhaus demurrer. In any event, the district court's dismissal of Crow's action without an opportunity to replead in an amended petition is an abuse of discretion by the trial court. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the district court and remand this cause to the district court with direction to reinstate Crow's action for further proceedings. REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH DIRECTION. WHITE, J., not participating.