Opinion ID: 2151691
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Insufficiency of Allegations in Petition

Text: Having concluded that state action is a requirement for the pleading and proof of an action based on a violation of the guarantee of free speech under Neb. Const. art. I, § 5, we must examine Dossett's petition to determine if it adequately states a cause of action. Under Neb.Rev. Stat. § 25-804(2) (Reissue 1995), a petition must contain a statement of the facts constituting the cause of action, in ordinary and concise language, and without repetition. Although Dossett alleges she was damaged by her termination from employment, she does not allege that her state constitutional rights to the exercise of free speech were violated as a result of state action. Without a statement of facts to support an allegation of state action, Dossett's petition does not sufficiently plead a cause of action for wrongful discharge brought under § 20-148 for a violation of her state constitutional right to free speech under Neb. Const. art. I, § 5. We have held that when a party challenges the sufficiency of a petition to state a cause of action, a motion for judgment on the pleadings should be sustained only when an amendment cannot cure the defect. Rodriguez v. Nielsen, 259 Neb. 264, 609 N.W.2d 368 (2000); Hoch v. Prokop, 244 Neb. 443, 507 N.W.2d 626 (1993). We determine that there is a reasonable possibility that Dossett could cure the defect as to the petition's allegations which purport to state a cause of action for violation of Neb. Const. art. I, § 5, brought under § 20-148, by an adequate allegation of state action. Thus, the district court erred in dismissing Dossett's petition.