McLaren v. AIG Domestic Claims, Inc.

853 F. Supp. 2d 499, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44808, 2012 WL 1071217
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedMarch 30, 2012
DocketCivil Action No. 10-cv-04224
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 853 F. Supp. 2d 499 (McLaren v. AIG Domestic Claims, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
McLaren v. AIG Domestic Claims, Inc., 853 F. Supp. 2d 499, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44808, 2012 WL 1071217 (E.D. Pa. 2012).

Opinion

OPINION

JAMES KNOLL GARDNER, District Judge.

This matter is before the court on Defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc.’s Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), which motion was filed on November 30, 2010, together with the Brief of Defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc. in Support of Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Defendant’s motion to dismiss and brief in support were reinstated on March 14, 2011.1

On December 21, 2010, the Brief of Plaintiff Andrea S. McLaren, CNM in Opposition to Defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc.’s Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6) was filed. Plaintiffs brief was reinstated March 14, 2011.

On January 14, 2011, the Reply Brief of Defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc. in Further Support of Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) was filed. Defendant’s reply brief was reinstated on March 14, 2011. Hence this Opinion.

SUMMARY OF DECISION

For the following reasons, I grant defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs plaintiffs bad faith claim in Count I and breach of contract claim in Count II. Because I grant defendant’s motion to dismiss with respect to both counts in plaintiffs Second Amended Complaint, plaintiffs Second Amended Complaint is dismissed with prejudice.2

[501]*501 JURISDICTION

Jurisdiction in this case is based upon diversity of citizenship of the parties pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332.

VENUE

Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)(2) because a substantial part of the events giving rise to plaintiffs claims allegedly occurred in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, which is located within this judicial district.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Plaintiff Andrea S. McLaren, CNM instituted this action by filing her Complaint on August 20, 2010. Defendant AIG Domestic Claims, Inc. (“AIG”) filed a motion to dismiss the Complaint on October 26, 2010.3

On November 11, 2010, Ms. McLaren filed her Amended Complaint. AIG filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs Amended Complaint on November 30, 2010. Ms. McLaren filed her brief in opposition to AIG’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint on December 21, 2010. AIG filed its reply brief in support of its motion to dismiss the amended complaint on January 14, 2011.

On February 14, 2011, based upon deficiencies in the jurisdictional averments in plaintiffs Amended Complaint, I issued an Order granting plaintiff until March 4, 2011 to file a second amended pleading for the limited purpose of remedying the deficiencies identified by that Order. The Order granting Plaintiff McLaren leave to file a second amended complaint also dismissed AIG’s then-pending motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint without prej[502]*502udice to seek reinstatement of the motion to dismiss if plaintiff filed a second amended complaint establishing subject matter jurisdiction.4

On March 1, 2011, plaintiff filed her Second Amended Complaint, which properly plead subject matter jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. AIG moved reinstate its November 30, 2011 motion to dismiss on March 10, 2011.

On March 14, 2011, I issued an Order reinstating AIG’s motion to dismiss and the parties’ earlier briefing on that motion. Upon reinstatement of AIG’s motion to dismiss and brief in support, Plaintiff McLaren’s brief in opposition, and AIG’s reply brief in support of dismissal, AIG’s motion to dismiss Plaintiff McLaren’s Second Amended Complaint became ripe for disposition. Hence this Opinion.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

A claim may be dismissed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). A Rule 12(b)(6) motion requires the court to examine the sufficiency of the complaint. Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45, 78 S.Ct. 99, 102, 2 L.Ed.2d 80, 84 (1957) (abrogated in other respects by Bell Atlantic Corporation v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007)).

Generally, in ruling on a motion to dismiss, the court relies on the complaint, attached exhibits, and matters of public record, including other judicial proceedings. Sands v. McCormick, 502 F.3d 263, 268 (3d Cir.2007).

Except as provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9, a complaint is sufficient if it complies with Rule 8(a)(2), which requires “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a)(2). Rule 8(a)(2) “[does] not require heightened fact pleading of specifics, but only enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570, 127 S.Ct. at 1974, 167 L.Ed.2d at 949.5 6

In determining whether a plaintiffs complaint is sufficient, the court must “accept all factual allegations as true, construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and determine whether, under any reasonable reading, the plaintiff may be entitled to relief.” Fowler, 578 F.3d at 210 (quoting Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 233 (3d Cir.2008)).

Although “conclusory or ‘bare-bones’ allegations will [not] survive a motion to dismiss,” Fowler, 578 F.3d at 210, “a complaint may not be dismissed merely because it appears unlikely that the plaintiff can prove those facts or will ultimately prevail on the merits.” Phillips, 515 F.3d [503]*503at 231. Nonetheless, to survive a 12(b)(6) motion, the complaint must provide “enough facts to raise a reasonable expectation that discovery will reveal evidence of the necessary element[s].” Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556, 127 S.Ct. at 1965, 167 L.Ed.2d at 940) (internal quotation omitted).

The court is required to conduct a two-part analysis when considering a Rule 12(b)(6) motion.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
853 F. Supp. 2d 499, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44808, 2012 WL 1071217, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mclaren-v-aig-domestic-claims-inc-paed-2012.