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Article: Alienation of affections remains viable tort in South Dakota.
- Article from:
- Trial
- Article date:
- July 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 American Association for Justice, formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA®). This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The South Dakota Supreme Court held in February that public policy does not require abolition of the tort of alienation of affections. (Veeder v. Kennedy, 589 N.W. 2d 610 (S.D. 1999).) The court affirmed a jury verdict awarding $265,000 to a man whose wife had an affair with her coworker.
Michael Veeder sued Myles Kennedy for alienation of the affections of Veeder's former spouse, Julie. Myles and Julie worked together and became involved in a sexual relationship. Their affair lasted more than two years.
A jury awarded Veeder $65,000 in damages and $200,000 in punitive damages.
Upholding the award, the South Dakota high court noted that 34 ...