Opinion ID: 2639115
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard for reviewing a motion to dismiss

Text: ¶ 4 The standard of review for an order dismissing a case for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted is de novo and involves consideration of whether a plaintiff's petition is legally sufficient. Hayes v. Eateries, Inc., 1995 OK 108, ¶ 2, 905 P.2d 778, 780. When reviewing a motion to dismiss, the court must take as true all of the challenged pleading's allegations together with all reasonable inferences which may be drawn from them. Hayes, 905 P.2d at 780. A pleading must not be dismissed for failure to state a legally cognizable claim unless the allegations indicate beyond any doubt that the litigant can prove no set of facts which would entitle him to relief. Frazier v. Bryan Mem. Hosp., 1989 OK 73, ¶ 13, 775 P.2d 281, 287. (emphasis in original). Furthermore, the burden to show the legal insufficiency of the petition is on the party moving for dismissal and a motion made under 12 O.S.2001, § 2012(B)(6) must separately state each omission or defect in the petition; if it does not, the motion shall be denied without a hearing. Indiana Nat.'l Bank v. State of Oklahoma, Dept. of Human Serv., 1994 OK 98, ¶ 3, 880 P.2d 371, 375. Motions to dismiss are usually viewed with disfavor under this liberal standard. Id. at 375. The burden of demonstrating a petition's insufficiency is not a light one. Id. The above standards guide our review in this case.