South Dakota Court Denies Workers’ Comp Coverage for Slain Woman’s Estate

The South Dakota Supreme Court says a Sioux Falls company does not have to pay workers’ compensation insurance benefits to the estate of an employee who was shot and killed by her estranged husband in the company’s parking lot.

Thirty-eight-year-old Julie Diane Tassler was killed by her husband, Steven Dean Tassler on Dec. 24, 2008, when she took a morning break in the parking lot of HSBC Card Services. He then killed himself.

Julie Tassler’s estate sought worker’s compensation benefits, arguing her death arose out of her employment. The estate contended her workplace was the only place her husband would kill her because he would not assault her in front of their children.

But the Supreme Court says the slaying arose from a personal dispute, not because of employment.