22-46-13. Action against perpetrator for exploitation--Compensatory and punitive damages--Attorney's fees.
A court may find that an elder or adult with a disability has been exploited as defined in §22-46-1 or 22-46-3. If a court finds exploitation occurred, the elder or adult with a disability has a cause of action against the perpetrator and may recover actual and punitive damages for the exploitation. The action may be brought by the elder or adult with a disability, or that person's guardian, conservator, by a person or organization acting on behalf of the elder or adult with a disability with the consent of that person or that person's guardian or conservator, or by the personal representative of the estate of a deceased elder or adult with a disability without regard to whether the cause of death resulted from the exploitation. The action may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the action. A party who prevails in the action may recover reasonable attorney's fees, costs of the action, compensatory damages, and punitive damages.
Source: SL 2016, ch 120, §28.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 46 - Abuse, Neglect, Or Exploitation Of Elders Or Adults With Disabilities
Section 22-46-1 - Definition of terms.
Section 22-46-1.1 - Neglect--Exclusions from definition.
Section 22-46-2 - Abuse or neglect of elder or adult with a disability--Felony or misdemeanor.
Section 22-46-3 - Theft by exploitation--Penalty.
Section 22-46-5 - Investigation of report of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Section 22-46-7 - Report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Section 22-46-8 - Immunity from liability for reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Section 22-46-9 - Mandatory reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 22-46-11 - Voluntary reporting of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Section 22-46-12 - Information provided by report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Section 22-46-14 - Additional penalties against perpetrator for exploitation.
Section 22-46-16 - Effect of revocation of provision of instrument.
Section 22-46-17 - Additional remedies for violation.
Section 22-46-18 - Remedies cumulative with other legal and administrative remedies.