Opinion ID: 801399
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pleading

Text: Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a) requires “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Here, Hall’s operative complaint sought $1,000,000 in benefits under the theory that a temporary 2 insurance policy created by the decedent’s application for coverage was in effect at the time he died. Hall attached a copy of the insurance application to the complaint. The complaint also alleged, in paragraph 18, that Hall was entitled to $1 million because “[t]here was no conspicuous plain or clear statement of any lesser limit of liability or any reduction of benefits payable to Robert Hall’s designated beneficiary ever communicated to Robert Hall [the decedent] prior to his death . . . .” Paragraph 18 was sufficient to put National Union on notice that the terms of its Certificate of insurance were at issue. Furthermore, National Union responded to the complaint by introducing a copy of the Certificate, thereby placing it in issue. The court did not err when it interpreted the terms of the Certificate in ruling on cross-motions for summary judgment.