Go to navigation Go to content
Toll-Free: 888-733-2992
Phone: 605-361-9840

The official blog of the Sioux Falls personal injury attorneys of Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP.

Frequent posts contain valuable information about South Dakota auto accidents, traffic laws, and safety guidelines. Learn more to win your case today.

Blog Category:
5/11/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Dangerous Job Leaves Man Injured and Seeking Insurance

Badly injured and seeking insurance coverage for 10 years, the SD Supreme Court hears, James E. Cornelius v. National Casualty Company, 2012 S.D. 29.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

5/10/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Costner "Untouchable" in Sculpture Dispute

Costner Prevails in Long Feud About "Dunbar" Sculptures

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

5/10/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Honesty's the Best Policy for Any Job

A real estate license in jeopardy over a forged signature, in, Cheri St. Pierre v. South Dakota Real Estate Commission 2012 S.D. 25.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

4/10/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Nothing New at the Core of the Health Care Debate

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Florida v. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the health care reform bill. A decision is expected later this year.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

4/7/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Who's looking out for Mother?

Court unwinds South Dakota land transaction because of undue influence.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

4/2/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Long Road to Recovery Imperils Mother’s Rights

A woman’s three-decade struggle with alcoholism involves an attempt by the State to terminate her parental rights, In the Matter of L.S. (2012 S.D. 22).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

3/28/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Farm Scam Leads To Foreclosure Dispute

A million-dollar farm benefits scam leaves a trail of legal problems over a decade later in, Rabo Agrifinance, Inc., v. Rock Creek Farms, et al (2012 S.D. 20).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

3/21/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Feuding Sisters Take Auction Dispute to Court

This appeal case involves 5 sisters and some finger-pointing over the handling of their mother’s estate, in, The Estate of Bernadine Moncur (2012 S.D. 17).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

3/8/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Police Incident Makes Breaking Up Even Harder To Do

Shaylene Montoya suffers a leg fracture and sues the Flandreau, SD Police Department for excessive use of force.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

2/27/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Guilty Pleas Must Follow Strict Script

A kidnapper’s conviction was overturned because the trial judge failed to ask him 3 specific questions, in Rosen v. Weber, (2012 S.D. 15).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

2/20/2012
Daniel K. Brendtro
Comments (0)

Settling Estate Follows Rough Road

Four appeals and 20,000 words by the South Dakota Supreme Court resolve Walter Brownlee's estate issues in, Jeanie Weekly v. Robert J. Wagner, (2012 S.D. 10).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

2/14/2012
Comments (0)

Doctor Becomes Patient, then Plaintiff

Medical doctor returns from AZ vacation with illness, and misdiagnosis leads to life-changing complications, in Ronan v. Sanford Health (2012 S.D. 6).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

2/7/2012
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Out-of-Wedlock Children May Have Legitimate Claim to Inheritance

The South Dakota Supreme Court evaluates the right of out-of-wedlock children to inherit in the Estate of Lorraine Flaws, (2012 S.D. 3).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

1/31/2012
Daniel Brendtro
Comments (0)

Courts Follow Unique Set of Rules for Estate Cases

A son doubts the validity of his mother's Will and alleges misconduct in the handling of her estate, In the Estate of Minnie Geier, (2012 S.D. 2).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

1/19/2012
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Deadline Pushers Litigate at Own Risk

Waiting until the last minute to file suit causes problems in the case of Jill Robinson v. Michelle Mitchell and Chelsey Ewalt (2012 S.D. 1).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

1/13/2012
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Juries Don't Often Hear the Whole Story

Teen killed by driver who used marijuana, but jury not allowed to hear about drug use, in Estate of Ethan Holznagel v. John Cutsinger (2011 S.D. 89).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

1/12/2012
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Court Wields Power for the Powerless

Two injured drivers take on their insurance companies. Their cases were heard by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

1/3/2012
Daniel Brendtro
Comments (0)

Defendant Questions Life Sentence for Car Crash

The opinion in State v. Jason Larsen-Smith (2011 S.D. 93) examines the rule against cruel and unusual punishment.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

12/20/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Court Gives Prairie Dogs "Royal" Treatment

Ranchers sue State of SD for prairie dog incursions in, William Adrian, et al v. Jeff Vonk, Secretary of the Department of Game, Fish & Parks (2011 S.D. 84).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

12/15/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Court Refuses Mother’s Request to Clear Her Name

A father is charged with abuse and a mother clears her name In the Matter of M.V. (2011 S.D. 81).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

12/15/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Location, Location, Location

A truck stop asks the State to pay for its lost business in a case called Fuel-Food Mart, Inc. v. South Dakota Dep’t of Transportation (2011 S.D. 70).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

12/15/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Nature-Lovers, Chainsaws, and a Great Governor

A plan to begin logging the oldest trees in the Black Hills is announced. The Eighth Circuit hears, Friends of the Norbeck v. United States Forest Service.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

12/14/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

Courts Help for Abuse Victims Has Limits

A sixty-four year old man broke four decades of silence to tell his story of abuse in Iron Wing v. Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls (2011 S.D. 79).

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

11/29/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

All's Fair in Kids and Money

Kids and money are a common thread in these 2 South Dakota cases, disputing teacher salaries and child support.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro

11/14/2011
Dan Brendtro
Comments (0)

You Have the Right to Remain Silent..."

Police suspected foul play while investigating an infant’s death in Sioux Falls. Their suspect confessed after a six-hour, video-taped interrogation.

Category: "Less Legalese, Please," by Daniel K. Brendtro


Auto Accident

South Dakota traffic accident victims can trust their personal injury claims to the qualified attorneys at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has offices in Sioux Falls and Parker, South Dakota. Our lawyers have been winning cases and serving South Dakota clients since 1948. If you need a fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional attorney to handle your car, truck, or motorcycle crash claim, come to the firm with a reputation you can depend on.

Business Litigation

Our reputation speaks for itself: we win cases. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota lawyers at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP are fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional. If you are considering bringing a lawsuit on behalf of your South Dakota business, contact Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. Our attorneys handle general business litigation and also practice before agencies, boards and commissions of state and local government. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948.

Criminal Defense

The attorneys at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP have a reputation for winning cases. If you have been accused of a crime, whether the charge is DUI/DWI, assault, or theft, a Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP attorney can protect your rights and make your options clear. We will go to trial, and we never pressure our clients to take a plea bargain. Our lawyers handle criminal defense cases in a fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional manner. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP has been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948.

Will Contest

If your South Dakota relative or loved one left a will that seems questionable, or if you need to defend a will against false claims, contact Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP. With offices in Sioux Falls and Parker, SD, our attorneys help families, heirs, and beneficiaries in will contests involving questions of fraud, undue influence, mental capacity, and more. Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP’s fast, adaptable, approachable, and professional lawyers have been serving clients and winning cases in South Dakota since 1948. Please contact us at 877-336-1650 to discuss your case.

Personal Injury

Have you suffered a catastrophic personal injury in South Dakota? Visit this page and call a Sioux Falls personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan and Cole, LLP.
  • Observer
  • The Lennox Independent
  • Tea Weekly
  • AlcesterUnion & Hudsonite
  • The New Era
  • SuperLawyers