Opinion ID: 1763338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: expenditures claimed under sdcl 62-4-1

Text: Employee further contends that certain expenditures incurred by her and her family during her hospitalization, which were disallowed by Department, were compensable under SDCL 62-4-1. These items include employee's mother's expenses for lodging, meals, and travel in the sum of $6,020.80; the purchase of a television and tape player in the sum of $225.00; and, the acquisition of a van in the sum of $7,281.45. Employee also seeks to increase the amount of reimbursement for mileage when travelling to obtain medical services and supplies. Employee argues that each of these items, which Department denied reimbursement for, are within the suitable and proper care provisions of SDCL 62-4-1. The circuit court affirmed Department's denial of reimbursement of all of the expenditures considered, except for the van acquisition. This court will address the issue of the van acquisition separately from the issues relating to employee's mother's expenditures, the television, tape recorder, and mileage reimbursement.