Halvorsen v. Dunlap

STEPHENSON, Circuit Judge.

The principal issue on this appeal involves an interpretation of the term “pecuniary injury” in the South Dakota wrongful death statute. South Dakota Comp.Laws Ann. § 21-5-7 (1969).1

This diversity wrongful death action was instituted in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota by Arvid Halvorsen, Special Administrator of the estate of Bjourgulv Underdal, for the benefit of Olav and *819Kristie Underdal, the surviving parents of the deceased. Halvorsen sought damages resulting from an automobile accident on January 11, 1972, when a wrecking truck…