Opinion ID: 1878451
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pleading compliance with section 613A.5.

Text: To maintain an action under chapter 613A, a plaintiff must allege compliance with the notice provisions of section 613A.5 in the petition. See Roberts v. Timmins, 281 N.W.2d 20, 24 (Iowa 1979). In Halvorson v. City of Decorah, 258 Iowa 314, 323, 138 N.W.2d 856, 862 (1965), we stated that alleging notice was given or the city had notice would not be procedurally sufficient. In this case the plaintiff alleged notice was sent to the school district through her attorney's letter, dated January 27, 1984. She did not allege the bill for the ambulance service was presented within sixty days after the alleged injury, in compliance with section 613A.5. We believe that Halvorson no longer accurately states the law. Notice pleading is all that is required now: Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 69(a) provides that a petition shall contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.... In other words, [o]nly a general statement of the claim is required. Christensen v. Shelby County, 287 N.W.2d 560, 563 (Iowa 1980). The petition alleges that notice was sent to the school district. While it might have been more precise, we believe it was sufficient under rule 69: it is ordinarily sufficient to aver generally that all conditions precedent have been performed or have occurred. 61A Am.Jur.2d Pleading § 83, at 89 (1981); accord, 71 C.J.S. Pleading § 80, at 194 (1951); see generally A. Vestal & P. Willson, Iowa Practice § 13.03, at 196-202 (1983). [4] DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED; JUDGMENT OF DISTRICT COURT REVERSED; REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS.