Additional Services

Proven Success

Personal Injury

Aggressive Legal Advocacy After An Injury. If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury, it is imperative that you hold the negligent party accountable. Schlimgen Law Firm is here for you and your loved ones in your time of need. Schlimgen Law Firm is local to the Black Hills Community and partners with a State-wide leading personal injury law firm to secure you results. Clients receive the benefit of local counsel who appear in the region’s courthouses on a weekly basis as well as State-wide litigation recovery specialists, without an additional cost.

While it is possible to handle your case on your own, it is rarely in your best interests. The right attorney will know how to handle the situation. Please call immediately if you have suffered any of the following:

Car accident

Non-consensual transmittal of a Sextually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Slip-and-fall

Premise liability

Motor vehicle accident

Trucking accident

Wrongful death

Farm and ranch injuries

Talk To Us Today. Are you uncertain of the legal process? Unsure whether you have a claim? Get answers to these questions and more during a consultation. You can reach our Spearfish office at 605-340-1340. Schedule your appointment today.

Civil Litigation

Schlimgen Law Firm understands that in most cases, Civil Litigation takes place when all other options have failed. No dispute is too small or large; from ranch lease disputes to small claims proceedings.
In many cases, this can be a disruptive and lengthy process. Therefore, we utilize a number of alternative dispute resolution options to resolve our client’s cases to a satisfactory outcome.
Our firm approaches each case recognizing its potential to ultimately end up in a contested trial. When we do go to trial, we plan for success by careful and thorough preparation through all phases of the case’s lifecycle. Although no two cases are identical, this usually involves aggressive discovery, which includes an exchange of documents related to the case, conducting depositions of key witnesses, etc. Throughout this process we continuously reevaluate our client’s case and convey developments with the client. We always keep the lines of communication open with opposing counsel in an effort to settle the case with a satisfactory resolution for our clients.

Protection Orders

Whether you need to be protected or are subject to defending a protection order action the stakes are high and you need counsel that is experienced in this area. Protective orders, also called "restraining orders," require a named individual (typically, those charged with domestic violence or stalking) to stay a specified distance away from a named victim, for a certain amount of time. They are technically legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate to protect the health and safety of a person who is alleged to be a victim of any act involving violence, force or threat that results in bodily injury or places that person in fear of death, sexual assault or bodily injury.

Appellate Work

South Dakota allows for the direct appeal of Circuit Court decisions to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Eric has handled a multitude of civil and criminal appellate work. Errors made at the trial level can have lasting consequences for individuals. The appellate process ensures that these mistakes can be corrected.

Alienation of Affection

Alienation of affection is a civil tort recognized in South Dakota that allows a spouse to file a lawsuit against a third party who has wrongfully and intentionally interfered with the marital relationship, resulting in the loss of love, affection, and companionship of their spouse.

These cases most often involve a third party—such as a paramour—whose actions lead to the breakdown of a marriage. However, the claim is not limited to romantic interference; it can also apply to individuals who have maliciously influenced one spouse against the other, including family members or friends.

To succeed in an alienation of affection claim, the plaintiff must generally prove:

Wrongful conduct of the defendant (paramour);
loss of affection or consortium; and
a causal connection between such conduct and loss.

Alienation of affection is not about punishing infidelity alone—it is about holding accountable those who intentionally interfere in a marriage. The basis of this tort is derivative of loss of a property right. These are sensitive cases that require discretion, a strong understanding of the law, and skilled litigation.

At Schlimgen Law Firm, we bring a balanced and strategic approach to these emotionally charged cases. If you believe your marriage was harmed by the intentional actions of a third party, we can help you evaluate your legal options and pursue justice.