Opinion ID: 1598823
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: inconsistent position

Text: Baron asserts that because the defendants had begun preparation for a possible defense on the merits at trial, dismissal on the basis of the statute of limitations was not appropriate. He contends that it is inconsistent for the defendants to claim Baron knew about his asbestos-related problems as early as 1982, and at the same time prepare to claim Baron did not have asbestosis. Rule 8(e) of the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure permits alternative pleadings. See generally, Wright & Miller, 5 Federal Practice and Procedure § 1283 (1990). While we have recognized the validity of inconsistent pleadings, we have also noted that inconsistent alternatives may not be pursued at the same time. Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. v. Shark Bros. Inc., 289 N.W.2d 216, 221-22 (N.D. 1980). We do not believe that a pretrial motion for summary judgment on the statute of limitations should be barred merely because the moving party intends to defend on the merits of the complaint at trial. Baron cites the following cases in support of his argument that, It has long been established that a defendant may not take advantage of the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense if that defendant presents an inconsistent theory either before or at trial. Christenson v. Argonaut Insurance Companies, 380 N.W.2d 515, 519 (Minn.App.1986); Nicholson v. Maack, 400 N.W.2d 160, 164 (Minn.App.1987); City of St. Paul v. Bielenberg, 164 Minn. 72, 204 N.W. 544 (1925). In Christenson, the Minnesota Court of Appeals said: If a defendant fails to plead the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense, the defense is considered waived. Rehberger v. Project Plumbing Co., Inc., 295 Minn. 577, 205 N.W.2d 126 (1973); Albers v. Fitschen, 274 Minn. 375, 143 N.W.2d 841 (1966). The defense may also be waived if the defendant presents an inconsistent theory at trial. City of St. Paul v. Bielenberg, 164 Minn. 72, 204 N.W. 544 (1925). None of these circumstances apply to the present case. Brown did affirmatively plead the statute of limitations in his amended answer. He never agreed to waive the defense nor did he assert an inconsistent defense before or at trial. 380 N.W.2d at 519. We do not believe the Minnesota Court of Appeals intended to expand the waiver of the statute of limitations to an inconsistent defense asserted before trial. This is particularly true in light of Bielenberg, cited by Baron and the Minnesota Court of Appeals in Christenson, which is clearly limited to the proposition that inconsistent defenses cannot be asserted at the same time. 204 N.W. at 545. Accord Phillips-Van Heusen, 289 N.W.2d 216. Upon reviewing Nicholson, cited by Baron, we conclude that it offers no support for his position. 400 N.W.2d at 164. Instead, Nicholson allowed the assertion of the statute of limitations defense in a paternity action after the party asserting the defense, who was opposed to the establishment of paternity, had previously admitted the existence of paternity. Id. Notwithstanding the meaning or portent of the Minnesota cases, we decline to apply the rule Baron urges upon us, especially in light of our own past case law. We have previously stated that it is proper for a party to assert that there are no genuine issues of material fact for purposes of that party's motion only. Batla v. North Dakota State University, 370 N.W.2d 554, 557 (N.D.1985) (citing Biby v. Union National Bank of Minot, 162 N.W.2d 370, 373 (N.D.1968)). In Batla, we concluded that a party was allowed to raise issues at trial even though, in the party's motion for summary judgment, the party had claimed that no issues of material fact existed. 370 N.W.2d at 557. We do not believe the defendants should have been precluded from asserting a summary judgment motion based upon discovery of facts which would reasonably lead to discovery of an asbestos created injury merely because they are also preparing for the contingency of arguing and proving the nonexistence of the injury should their motion fail. This assertion is therefore without merit. As the majority of the members of this Court believe the remaining issues raised by Baron on this appeal are not likely to arise at trial on remand of this case, and believe the determination of those issues at this time would be obiter dicta, we will not address those issues in this opinion.