Opinion ID: 1668615
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Continental's Motion for a Judgment on the Pleadings

Text: A judgment on the pleadings is subject to a de novo review. Harden v. Ritter, 710 So.2d 1254, 1255 (Ala.Civ. App.1997). A court reviewing a judgment on the pleadings accepts the facts stated in the complaint as true and views them in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Id. at 1255-56. If matters outside the pleadings are presented to and considered by the trial court, then the motion for a judgment on the pleadings must be treated as a motion for a summary judgment. See Rule 12(c), Ala. R. Civ. P. Otherwise, in deciding a motion for a judgment on the pleadings, the trial court is bound by the pleadings. See Stockman v. Echlin, Inc., 604 So.2d 393, 394 (Ala.1992). Universal Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Thompson, 776 So.2d 81, 82-83 (Ala.2000). See also Moore v. Liberty Nat'l Life Ins. Co., 267 F.3d 1209, 1213 (11th Cir.2001)(stating that the federal district court's denial of a judgment on the pleadings is reviewed de novo); 5C Charles A. Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure: Civil § 1368 (3d ed. 2004)(stating that review of a federal district court's ruling on a judgment on the pleadings is de novo). See generally Ex parte Horn, 718 So.2d 694, 705 (Ala.1998)(holding that the de novo standard of review applies where the trial court bases its judgment on the pleadings, exhibits, and briefs); Provident Life & Cas. Co. v. Crean, 804 So.2d 236, 238 (Ala.Civ.App.2001)(holding that the de novo standard of review applies where the trial court's judgment was based on stipulated facts). Continental argues that the trial court erred when it denied Continental's motion for a judgment on the pleadings because, Continental argues, Plantation could not assert a claim under Coverage B of Continental's insurance policy. Continental argues that in its complaint Plantation asserted a claim only under Coverage A of the policy. Continental further argues that Plantation's notice of the occurrence and its correspondence to Continental regarding the claim showed that Plantation sought recovery under only Coverage A. Continental argues that Plantation, therefore, waived its right to assert any claim under Coverage B. See Ford v. Jackson Square, Ltd., 548 So.2d 1007, 1013 (Ala. 1989). Plantation did not expressly state in its complaint whether it was seeking recovery under Coverage A or Coverage B; however, Plantation described the insurance coverage provided by Continental and the damages based on the breach-of-contract claim as exceeding Royal's insurance limit, which indicates that Plantation was claiming under Coverage A. [7] Plantation argues that it requested recovery of all settlement payments and cleanup expenses and that it did not limit itself to recovery under only Coverage A or Coverage B. Plantation argues that the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure require only notice pleading and that its complaint was sufficient to put Continental on notice that Plantation was seeking recovery under both Coverage A and Coverage B. Weaver v. American Nat'l Bank, 452 So.2d 469, 473 (Ala.1984). Plantation also points out that Continental asserted five affirmative defenses related to the defined terms in the policy that apply only to Coverage B, thereby indicating, Plantation argues, that Continental was on notice that Plantation was seeking recovery under Coverage A and Coverage B. In Weaver, supra, the complaint listed facts without citing any legal theories, and the court dismissed the complaint on the basis that the plaintiff had not stated a claim upon which relief could be granted. 452 So.2d at 472. This Court reversed the dismissal and held that when considering a motion to dismiss made pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), Ala. R. Civ. P., the trial court should construe the pleadings to do substantial justice and that strict rules of pleading may be disregarded under the notice-pleading rule. 452 So.2d at 473. This Court further held that [a] complaint is sufficient if it puts the defendant on notice of the actions against which it must defend. 452 So.2d at 473. Unlike the plaintiff in Weaver, Plantation stated legal claims in its pleading. In its complaint, Plantation asserted a claim that would fall under Coverage A, but it did not assert a claim that would fall under Coverage B. Even though Plantation's complaint does not specifically seek recovery under Coverage A, the totality of the language in the complaint suggests that Plantation was seeking recovery under Coverage A. Moreover, Continental asserted 36 affirmative defenses, some of which relate only to Coverage Bthough it does argue that it was pleading stock affirmative defenses out of caution, not because it was necessarily on notice that Plantation was asserting a claim under Coverage B. Nonetheless, we do not need to decide whether, reviewing the language of the complaint in its entirety, the trial court erred in denying Continental's motion for a judgment on the pleadings. Even if the trial court did err, the error was harmless because the jury found Continental liable under only Coverage A. This Court will not reverse or set aside a judgment based on an alleged error that did not injuriously affect a party's substantial rights. Rule 45, Ala. R.App. P. (No judgment may be reversed or set aside ... for error as to any matter of pleading or procedure, unless... it should appear that the error complained of has probably injuriously affected substantial rights of the parties.).