Ski Area Negligence
Most states with a ski industry also have laws which protect ski areas against claims arising from the inherent dangers of downhill skiing and snowboarding. However, these states will allow claims against ski area operators for injuries caused by those hazards which are not “inherent dangers.” Dangers that are not inherent in the sport of skiing include open excavations, parked heavy machinery around a blind corner, and collisions with moving equipment which is the fault of the operator’s employee. Additionally, most states require minimal safety standards for the operation of ski areas, which if specifically violated, provide the basis of a claim against a ski area operator for a downhill skiing/snowboarding accident.
For more discussion, click here - ski area negligence.
Ski Area Cases of Note
- Salvini v. Ski Lifts Appeal - Washington court of appeal affirms trial court rulings, record verdict stands
- Salvini v. Ski Lifts Inc. d/b/a The Summit at Snoqualmie - 23 year-old rendered quadraplegic from negligently designed jump, record verdict against ski resort
- Rothstein v. Snowbird
Pre-injury releases as applied to recreational skiers are contrary to the public policy of the Utah Inherent Risks of Skiing Act, Utah Code Ann. §78-27-51 - Angermann v. Steamboat Ski Resort Corporation
Lauren Angermann was skiing on the Moonlight ski run at Steamboat Ski Resort when her skis slid underneath a partially-buried hose or pipe, causing her to double eject from her bindings. - Grigg v. Wintergreen Partners, Inc.
Jessica Grigg, age 17, was skiing down Eagle's Swoop, an open intermediate slope at Wintergreen ski resort in Nelson County, Virginia when she collided with a a large diesel powered track snow groomer - Hoar v. Great Eastern Resort Management, Inc.
$6.2 million verdict awarded critically injured fireman. - Hoar v. Great Eastern Resort Management, Inc. Supreme Court Ruling - Record verdict reinstated, expert testimony not necessary in common sense case
- Lee v. Aspen
Jury awards snowboarder $100,000.00 for injuries she sustained when hit by Aspen Ski Company snowmobile - Graven v. Vail
Colo. Supreme Court ruling reopens question of ski area liability, narrows construction of the inherent danger rule - Dovey v. Victoria Breckenridge
Wrongful Death Claim Arising from Collision With Man Made Object
