Opinion ID: 901602
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: analysis

Text: [¶7.] In order to prevail in a suit based on negligence, a plaintiff must prove duty, breach of that duty, proximate and factual causation, and actual injury. Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. v. South Dakota, 1997 SD 8, ¶12, 558 NW2d 864, 867. This case turns on the question of whether Schulte had any duty to protect Hendrix from injury. Kuehl v. Horner Lumber Co., 2004 SD 48, 678 NW2d 809. A duty can be created by statute or common law. Id. [¶8.] As a general rule, the existence of a duty is to be determined by the court. Erickson v. Lavielle, 368 NW2d 624 (SD 1985). Summary judgment in a negligence case is appropriate when the trial judge resolves the duty question in the defendant's favor. Id.; Bland v. Davison County, 507 NW2d 80 (SD 1993).