South Dakota Codified Laws 34-35-14. Possessory claim supporting recovery of fire damages
In any action instituted in any court to recover damages for injury caused by the fire as provided in § 34-35-12 it is not necessary for any person injured by such fire to allege in a complaint, or prove on the trial of such action, title to the real property over which the fire has spread. It is sufficient in any such action to allege and prove that the person so injured was in the occupancy or possession of the property. In any action instituted in any court to recover fire suppression and extinguishment costs as provided in §§ 34-35-12 and 34-35-12.1, it is not necessary for the person or governmental entity providing fire suppression services to allege or prove that it was in occupancy or had any possessory interest in the property over which the fire has spread.
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 34-35-14
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
Source: SDC 1939, § 20.0207; SL 1992, ch 251, § 2; SL 1996, ch 217, § 2.