45-7-8. Action to obtain release--Damages--Attorney fees.The owner of said land or the owner of the mineral rights may, after thirty days have expired from the time of the service of the demand as set forth in §45-7-4, in lieu of the filing of his affidavit, commence an action against the owner of such lease upon his neglect or refusal to execute a release as provided by this chapter in any court of competent jurisdiction, to obtain such release, and he may also recover in such action of the lessee, his successors, or assigns, together with court costs including a reasonable attorney's fee for preparing and prosecuting the suit, in addition to the damages suffered by him as the proximate result of such neglect or refusal to execute a release as herein provided. Source: SDC Supp 1960, §42.0812 as added by SL 1965, ch 176.
South Dakota Legal Code