Arends v. Dacotah Cement

GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1.] Allan Arends (Arends), employed by South Dakota State Cement Plant Commission d/b/a Dacotah Cement (Daco-tah) for over 30 years, fell through some ice and sustained an acute knee injury while he was out trapping muskrat. When surgery was performed, it was discovered that Arends had degenerative osteoarthritis. Both the Department of Labor (Department) and the circuit court determined that there was a work-related injury, which was a major contributing cause of the physical impairment. Arends was awarded benefits under South Dakota workers’ compensation law. We…