Does the affidavit need to be pled?

Plaintiffs cite Parsons v. Tickner, 31 Cal. App. 4^th 1513, 1523-24 (Cal. App. 2 Dist., 1995) for the proposition that the affidavit isn't required. But Parsons simply stands for the proposition that it isn't a condition precedent that must be pled. It explains that failure to file the affidavit could subject the action to a "plea in abatement" that is, a plaintiff might be required to withdraw the claim and refile it after complying. Id. at 1524.

Page 8