Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 1 of 7 PageID #: 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF SOUTH DAKOTA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
CIV. #________
19-4175

AARON STORM,
Plaintiff,

COMPLAINT AND
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

vs.
CITY OF BROOKINGS,
Defendant.

COMES NOW the Plaintiff, Aaron Storm, and for his Complaint against the abovenamed Defendant, states and alleges as follows:
PARTIES
1.

Plaintiff Aaron Storm is a resident of Humble, Texas.

2.

Defendant City of Brookings is and, at all times relevant hereto, was a

municipality in the State of South Dakota. Defendant is the county seat of Brookings
County. Defendant City owns and maintains exclusive control over all of the public parks
located within the City limits, including, but not limited to Larson Park located at 22nd
Avenue South and Eastbrook Drive, Brookings, South Dakota, 57006.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3.

This Court has jurisdiction over the persons and subject matter of this action

pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because the amount of damages in
controversy exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and complete diversity of
citizenship is present between Plaintiff and Defendant.

1

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 2 of 7 PageID #: 2

4.

This action is properly venued with this Court pursuant to the provisions of

28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) because the cause of action occurred in the Southern District of the
State of South Dakota.
FACTS
5.

On or about November 17, 2018, Plaintiff was seriously injured while sledding

at Larson Park.
6.

Upon information and belief, Defendant allows the hill at Larson Park,

including the south side of the hill, to remain open during the winter for recreational
purposes such as sledding.
7.

Upon information and belief, residents of Brookings and guests to Brookings

often sled on the Larson Park hill when snow is present.
8.

The hill at Larson Park, including the south side of the hill, is an unreasonably

dangerous attraction and poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to individuals who
sled down the hill like Plaintiff.
9.

Defendant created the dangerous condition of the drainage ditch near the

bottom of the south side of the Larson Park hill.
10.

Defendant did not post any notices, signs, or warnings that indicated that

sledding down the south side of the Larson Park hill was prohibited. Defendant also did not
post any notices, signs, or warnings that either informed the public that the south side of the
hill was unsuitable for sledding or that informed individuals of the risks of sledding down
the south side of the hill.

2

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 3 of 7 PageID #: 3

11.

Plaintiff was injured while sledding down the south side of the hill at Larson

Park when his sled came into contact with the drainage ditch near the bottom of the hill. As
the sled hit the front of the drainage ditch, the sled became airborne causing the sled to land
on the far edge of the drainage ditch. Plaintiff landed directly on his tailbone on the edge of
the drainage ditch.
12.

Upon information and belief, before Plaintiff’s injury, Defendant knew that

other people were injured sledding down the hill at Larson Park.
13.

As a result of the incident, the Plaintiff fractured his back and sustained

injuries and damages including, but not limited to, personal injuries which required medical
treatment and surgery. Additionally, he has experienced pain and suffering, permanent
impairment and disability, loss of enjoyment of the capacity of life, loss of past and future
earned wages, past and future medical costs and expenses, and other general and special
damages.
COUNT ONE

Negligence
14.

Plaintiff hereby realleges paragraphs 1-13 of this Complaint and hereby

incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein.
15.

Defendant owed a duty of care to Plaintiff to exercise ordinary care and

awareness in the operations, management, maintenance, and control of Larson Park,
including, but not limited to, a duty to inspect and maintain the park in a safe and reasonable
manner and a duty to warn, remove, and/or repair any dangerous condition in the park.

3

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 4 of 7 PageID #: 4

16.

Defendant negligently departed from the proper standard of care, which

caused Plaintiff’s injuries. Defendant breached its duties owed to Plaintiff by negligently
maintaining Larson Park, in several respects, including, but not limited to:

17.

(1)

Failing to inspect the park for dangerous conditions;

(2)

Failing to mark or block off the drainage ditch on the south side of the
hill;

(3)

Failing to warn of dangerous conditions on the south side of the hill;
and

(4)

Otherwise generally failing to maintain or keep the park in a reasonably
safe condition.

Defendant’s operation of Larson Park was negligent and is the direct and

proximate cause of the injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff.
18.

As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant’s negligence, Plaintiff has

sustained injuries, including, but not limited to, personal injuries resulting in a course of
medical treatment; permanent impairment, disability; disfigurement, past, present, and future
pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of the capacity of life, emotional distress; past and
future medical costs and expenses; and other general and special damages; all of which are
compensable under South Dakota law.
COUNT TWO

Gross Negligence
19.

Plaintiff hereby realleges paragraphs 1-18 of this Complaint and hereby

incorporates them by reference as if fully set forth herein.

4

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 5 of 7 PageID #: 5

20.

Defendant owed a duty of care to Plaintiff not to engage in reckless, willful,

wanton conduct in the operations, management, maintenance, inspection, and control of
Larson Park.
21.

Defendant recklessly, willfully and wantonly departed from the proper

standard of care which caused Plaintiff’s injuries. Defendant breached its duties owed to
Plaintiff by recklessly operating Larson Park and by recklessly failing to inspect, maintain,
repair, and/or remove any dangerous condition in the park and by failing to warn Plaintiff of
any dangerous condition in the park.
22.

Defendant’s operation of Larson Park was grossly negligent and the proximate

cause of the injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff.
23.

As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant’s gross negligence, Plaintiff has

sustained injuries, including, but not limited to, personal injuries resulting in a course of
medical treatment; permanent impairment, disability; disfigurement, past, present, and future
pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of the capacity of life, emotional distress; past and
future medical costs and expenses; and other general and special damages; all of which are
compensable under South Dakota law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully prays for damages against Defendant as
follows:
(1)

For Plaintiff’s compensatory, general, special, and punitive damages in an
amount that the jury deems just and proper under the circumstances;

(2)

For Plaintiff’s costs and disbursements herein;

(3)

For pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; and

5

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 6 of 7 PageID #: 6

(4)

For such other and further relief as the Court determines to be just and
proper.

Dated this _15th_ day of October, 2019.
JOHNSON, JANKLOW,
ABDALLAH & REITER, L.L.P.
BY___/s/ Shannon R. Falon
Pamela R. Reiter (pamela@janklowabdallah.com)
Shannon R. Falon (shannon@janklowabdallah.com)
Anthony P. Sutton (anthony@janklowabdallah.com)
P.O. Box 2348
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2348
(605) 338-4304
Attorneys for Plaintiff

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff hereby respectfully demands trial by jury on all issues so triable.
/s/ Shannon R. Falon
Pamela R. Reiter
Shannon R. Falon
Anthony P. Sutton

6

 Case 4:19-cv-04175-RAL Document 1 Filed 10/15/19 Page 7 of 7 PageID #: 7
44 (R.v

,S

CIVIL COVER SHEET

06i17)

I

he JS 4-:l crr rl cover sheer dnd lhe rnlormdtron contarneJ
herern nerrher reDl.rce nor suonle
pru!ided

j;;,;i;ia;;i.[i;;;"';iil?U; i[i\',:',.i'XB.Th'#i'i"9il['l:;lqiiB'li{.'ifJ:]ii,:?ilii'1,I

b) lo(JI
ur cou.t rh,i rbrm. tprored
purposeol,nruarrnsthLcr\rl
',trs
d.,ctel sheel

by,il
,iltilvrrr,rl

l. (a) PLAINTIFFS

DEFENDANTS

AARON STORA,I

(b)

CITY OF BROOKINGS

plainli,r

County ofRcsidence ofFirsr Lr5t€d
HARRq
l:xt l,t\ t,\' Ls. 1,t.1^ 11].t,.1-,4stas)

_ (c) rnornrr. /rq \,,?, r/r,,.

,tt.t

QO, TEXAS

County of Residence of Frrsr Listed

-".,

t,t,r\ra. \Lnir

BASIS

OI

U S.

Ot'.rt RISDICTTO\ ,r i,...,,

Cor.miEnl

ur

L\

d4

ttzethit

C

pa

of

tes

n I teh

Cirizen ofAnorlEr

I,

Srare

PIF DIF
Ol D I
I2
O

IV. NATtIRE OF Sl.ll'f
loNltlA('T

Rts
PERSONAL INJI'RY

O 120 Mann.
O l30lvilld Aci
O l,l0 N.sotirbl. linNftnr

O

150

R.cov.ry ofov.Aarmenr
& Enforcm.nt of ,udgmelt

O l5l Medicar.
O 152 R.cov.ry
(Exclud.s

O l5l Recols)
of\'.i.ran

O
O

160
195

Act
of D.f.uled

O

Srelllold.s

Product

Contrad Produd Liability

E
D

162

O

,140

Pdual Inju

-

olh.r

olhfiCivil

PRISO\ER PETITIO\S

Ri8h$

D
Voins
O 442 E ploymenr
O 4,li Housing/
.1.,1I

Accommodaions

O 41J A'rGr

t Dislbilit.s

-

O
O

463 Alien D.r.inee

4.16

D

.148 Education

Shre Coun

35

Forersn Narron

t 6 D6

CLck here lbr Natu
BANKRUI'TCV

O
O

O

530 Goeral
5lt Death Penaln

O

O

O -l

O
O

710

O

720 Labor/Maiag€menr

O
O

740 aailwa) Labor Acr

O
O

790 Oth.r Labor Lnieatron

75

F.i. Labor Shndards

I Family

791

ed

&10

O
O

lt?

862 Black Lu8192l)
863 DIWC/OIwW (405(8))

o

864 SSrDTiite Xvl
865 RSI (40J(e)

EToTaxes (U

O

871

S Ptiindfl

O

O

.130

O
O

.loo D.pondror
470 Racl.r.cr lnouen(ed anJ

O
O
O

480 CoBumer Credn
490 Cabl. Sar Tv
850 Sefiitiercotruiodni.y

O
O
O
O

890 Oder Sr6tuto4 Acrions

Barl(s and Baakins

E9l Agiculrur.lAcrs
En ronmat l Mafic6
E9t frcldm of IifmExoi
891

C, E96 Aftitr.rion
O E99 Adminisnarive Procedure
AcrR.ri.* or Appeal of
Ag.nc). Deision
O 950 Conliruriotrali'!., of

IRS Third

Pany
26 USC 760i)

III}IIGRATIO\

olhr

USC

100 Sr.r. R.apponionEor

!i.EDI]IL{L TAX SI'ITS

O

Ii'coineSccnriq Act

O

(ll

Co@fl Orsa zrions

sEcuRri\-

Mcdi@l

Emplor.. R.rircmenr

QuiTm

O

Thdemul

O

t

175 Falsc Cl.ims Acr
176

l72e(.))

L
86r HIA ( lle5fl)

o
o

462 NatunlEaio. Applidion
465 Otha lmnri86tion

555 Prison Condidotr
560 CivilDetaiice -

from
Coun

Remanded

App€llate

O4

D 5 Transt'ened

Reinstared or

from
Anolher Dislrict

Reopened

O

6

Multidisrnct

Liiisation

O ti Multidistricr

-

l-itisation -

Drreil File
Crre rhe

\ I.

CAT SE ()}-

ACTIO\

Y . REQT ESTED t\

U.S Crvrl

Srature under $hrch

28 USC 1332
Brief description of cause
Ne
ence and ross ne

o

CONIPLAINT:
vIII. RELATED CASE(S)
IF AN\
DATE

CHECK IF THts Is A

UNDERRULE 23.

rou

are

fi linl @

nnt dtc

it

Dt-\t.\\t)

\

ti\,tittionot ltutut.r

ce

clAss ACTtoN

CHEC( YES onl) rfdemanded

F R Cv P

JURY

JUDGE
SIGNA

url.* ttircall I

DOCKET NU]\'IBER
OF ATTORNE

FRE

'

AT'IOUNT

APPLYINC IFP

D

]UDCE

rn

DEMAND: E[ Yes

0
RECEIPT

f

rt Codc I

122 Appedl28 t,SC l5E
421 withdE$ al

soct-

LAAOR

510 Motions to vacate

Am.r. *,Diebrhr.s - O 540 Mudmus &
O 550 Civil Ri8hrs

O

lncoQorar.d a,./ Principal ptac.
ofBusio.ss In Anori.r sr!t.

28 USC

P.rsonal

Prodd LiabilD

clvlL Rtcfll's

V. ORIGIN a,t".., 'x nt),t B.\onbl
Orrgrnal O2 Remored tiom

Proceedrng

690

O4 dr

IBOPf,RTT' R(: IITS
O E20Copvighrs
O 810 Parenr
O 815 Parenr - Abbr.\iar.d

PEX,SONAL PROPERTI'
3T0OrherFraud
371 Truth in Llnding
lEo Orher P.6onal
Prcpery Dam.se
D 185 Prop.6 DanDg.

O

Il

O

O
O
O

v.hicle

Produci Liability
360 orhfi peGooal

,ROPTRTY
REAL PR(

O 210 Ldd Cood.mnnion
O 220 Fdeclosur.
O 230 R.nt L.a$ & Ejslme.r
O 240 Tons lo Land
O 24t Ton Produd Liabrlrry
O 290 AllOrll.r Rcal Propem

of Prop.re.' 21 USC 88t

pt6cc

Incory)rar.d ,r pnncipat
ol Busin.$ Ii This srarc

N.w Drus Apphcarion

llarine Product
Liabiliiy
150 r\roror vehicle

o
o ltr,uoro.

Su(s

R.ltr.d S.izurc

625 Drug

Liabilq

O i68 Asb.no\

\leinc

I'10

l.lt

O

:l O I

Ell',tiRE,?aNAttr

P€Bonallnillr,
LiabiliO

B.icfits

O

PeEonallnjun Producr L'abr[0
O 167 He.l$ ( ar..
Phmaceurtal
36J

Fsl{.lEmploye6'

310

ot O!.rparDcnr
s

O

a, 315 Ai.plmc Producr
Li6biliry
O 120 Asr.utt, Libel&

O

\'.rcrd,

EORI
PI]RSONAL INJTIRY

ll0 Airplee

O

O

*,

tt'r,",

I nt)tu B.t tt I'hntnl
Mt t )tu 86 k, D.Ithtant)
PTF DIF

(),b)

iiot o t,ori.)

Div6siry

ltuli.ote

oF

//K,or.r/

rl or DtwtstD Cdtes

llt.s coterhh.nt

(roremmnr

s,l1i?3fupixil$Rqtfi:r ,*,HE LocArroN

III. CITIZE\S HIP OF PRI\('tPAL pARTIES,r .,.,.",

r

D 3 F.d.6lQu.srion

Plaindll'

Detendanr BROgKINGS

0N u. s. p LATNT : t_-t .4sES o],11.y)

Attomeys

Pamela R Re(er Shannon Faton & Antnony Sutton
Johnson, Janklow Abda ah & Rerter. LLp
Post Offrce Box 2348. Sroux Fa s SD 57101,
{605) 338-4304

II.

l-",},ili;i',-

,.r.,,r..vtni,:_;,:i',,ii;^t:l

lrAo.ruDcE

tomplarnr

ONo