Opinion ID: 3036350
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: We Remand for Determination Whether Hunt May

Text: Amend His Complaint Although Hunt’s failure to allege justifiable reliance renders his Complaint inadequate, we have held that “if a complaint is subject to a Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, a district court must permit a curative amendment unless such an amendment would be inequitable or futile.” Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 245 (3d Cir. 2008). On remand, the District Court should permit Hunt to amend his Complaint if the Court finds that he satisfies this standard. 18 Hunt also cites Pennsylvania Supreme Court cases holding that reliance can be presumed. But Aronson distinguished these cases as ones involving direct dealings between parties to a contract, rather than class actions. 809 A.2d at 405 (citing New York Life Ins. Co. v. Brendwene et ux., 172 A.2d 669 (Pa. 1934); In re Estate of Harris, 245 A.2d 647 (Pa. 1968)). It also distinguished the cases as ones involving a material misrepresentation about which the plaintiff was aware. Id. As we have discussed, Hunt has not adequately explained why the alleged misrepresentations in this case are material to a purchasing decision. In any event, these cases cannot overcome the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent and specific pronouncements that a private Consumer Protection Law plaintiff must prove justifiable reliance. See Toy, 928 A.2d at 202; Yocca, 854 A.2d at 438. 24