Opinion ID: 1875979
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: The standard of review for a trial court's grant of a motion to dismiss is de novo. Moynihan v. Gunn, 204 S.W.3d 230, 232-33 (Mo.App.2006). When this Court reviews the dismissal of a petition for failure to state a claim, the facts contained in the petition are treated as true and they are construed liberally in favor of the plaintiffs. Ste. Genevieve Sch. Dist. R-II, et al. v. Bd. of Aldermen of Ste. Genevieve, et al., 66 S.W.3d 6, 11 (Mo. banc 2002). If the petition sets forth any set of facts that, if proven, would entitle the plaintiffs to relief, then the petition states a claim. Id. Plaintiffs' petition states a cause of action if its averments invoke principles of substantive law [that] may entitle the plaintiff to relief. Asaro v. Cardinal Glennon Mem'l Hosp., 799 S.W.2d 595, 597 (Mo. banc 1990).