Hayes v. Northern Hills General Hospital,
Nos. 21490, 21516, 21522 (S.D. May 30, 2001)

The Supreme Court of South Dakota ruled against a physician who appealed a directed verdict on an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim and a jury verdict against him on an interference with business relations claim. According to the court, the directed verdict was proper because the physician was never the target of the mistreatment that caused his emotional distress. Likewise, the exclusion of evidence about a settled malpractice suit, which was secondary to this case, was proper because the weight of the evidence was minimal. The court also held that discussion of the physician's net worth was not prejudicial because the physician raised the issue of his financial situation. Finally, the Supreme Court of South Dakota found no error in the jury instructions. As a result, the Supreme Court of South Dakota affirmed the directed and jury verdicts of the lower court.