What Are Some Examples of Ski Lift Lawsuits Near Me?

Ski mishaps happen without warning and they can lead to devastating consequences, both physically and financially. Although the sport is a great pastime, it’s also dangerous. So if you like to ski, try to follow safe habits while on the slopes. That way, you can avoid painful accidents whenever possible. 

Skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular. According to some sources, an average of 12 million people go skiing each year in the United States alone. In that same time frame, about 7.5 million people enjoy snowboarding and 5 million people enjoy cross-country skiing. That’s a lot of winter sports happening in the U.S. each year!

And with these activities only increasing in popularity, the dangers increase each year as well. To protect yourself, we recommend that you read and observe the Seven-Point Responsibility Code of the National Ski Areas Association. 

From there, the next best step is to become aware of the legal environment surrounding ski accidents. You might start by asking relevant questions, such as, “What are some examples of ski lift lawsuits near me?”

Keep reading to learn more about what Morgan & Morgan has to say about ski accidents, injuries, and lawsuits.

If you’ve been injured in a ski accident, don’t delay. Reach out to the experienced personal injury attorneys at Morgan & Morgan. With billions of dollars in settlements to our name, we know how to provide compassionate, experienced legal representation. Simply fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation today.

How Do Ski Accidents Happen in the First Place?

The truth is that ski accidents are not uncommon. There are a lot of dangerous aspects of this popular sport. Most often, lawsuits stem from these kinds of occurrences:

• Skier to skier collisions
• Ski lift accidents
• Ski equipment failure
• Ski resort negligence (including ski operator negligence)

As ski resorts grow in popularity, be aware that having more people on the slopes may equate to more opportunities for harm. And when an accident is caused by the reckless or negligent behavior of another party, call an attorney. That way, you can better understand your legal right to compensation and determine your next best steps.

What Are the Common Injuries That Happen From Ski Accidents?

Building a personal injury case always starts with one question: How serious is the injury? Unfortunately, when it comes to ski mishaps, there is a great opportunity for serious harm. That’s because the sport takes place at high altitudes and high speeds. 

If you have been injured on the mountain, you may be dealing with the effects of one or more of these injuries:

• Cold weather injuries, like frostbite
• Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
• Neck or spine injuries
• Cuts or lacerations 
• Broken bones
• Skier’s thumb
• Knee injuries

Any one of these injuries could result in mounting medicals and lost wages. If you find yourself in a similar situation, call Morgan & Morgan to discuss your options. We’ll start by answering the questions, “What are some examples of ski lift lawsuits near me?” We’ll put our knowledge of relevant case law to work for you.

When Is a Ski Resort Liable for an Injury?

In most states, the law is written in favor of ski areas or resorts. That’s because ski participants take on an assumed level of risk every time they strap on their boots. 

With that being said, you could still be entitled to a settlement if you are injured on the slopes. If you can prove that another skier or the resort was negligent, you could have a case.

A successful ski lawsuit has four key components:

• Duty: Did the ski resort have a duty to act with a reasonable amount of care?
• Breach: Did the ski resort breach this duty?
• Causation: Did this breach of duty cause your injury?
• Damages: Did your injury leave you with quantifiable damages?

The right attorney will help you answer these questions. Turn to Morgan & Morgan when you want the best legal guidance possible.

When Is a Product Manufacturer Liable for an Injury?

Every skier knows that safe skiing starts with quality equipment. And if your equipment is defective, you could be vulnerable to injury. 

In ski and personal injury lawsuits, there are a range of situations that could leave a manufacturer liable. We’ve broken the top three causes of product defect lawsuits:

• The product was not labeled with the proper warning information at the time of purchase
• There is a problem with the engineering or design of the product
• The product was improperly assembled

In skiing, a small defect could lead to big injuries. So if a weak ski strap or a helmet is missing shock absorption, the manufacturer may be liable for your resultant injuries.

Are you ready to answer the question, “What are some examples of ski lift lawsuits near me?” We’ve written an overview of three ski lift lawsuits below.

Example of Ski Lift Lawsuits in Massachusetts 

In 2015, 12-year-old Alex Hache was injured when falling off a ski lift at the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. He started to slip from the bench shortly after loading and several passengers began yelling at the operator to stop the lift. However, the lift continued to move.

Because of Alex’s fall, he suffered a concussion, a fractured pelvis, and five fractured vertebrae. In 2019, he was awarded $4.5 million by a jury in Massachusetts. 

Since the accident, the ski area has now implemented a 100% bar down policy to avoid future incidents.

Examples of Ski Lift Lawsuits in Utah

In 2017, the father of Kelly Huber filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Granby ski area in Colorado. According to the suit, a lift malfunction caused Kelly and her two daughters to fall 25 feet onto the hard-packed snow below. 

Despite claims from other passengers that the lift felt unsafe, the lawsuit was dismissed in 2019. 

Examples of Ski Lift Lawsuits in New York

On January 1, 2019, Connor Golembiewski died falling from a chairlift at the Blue Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. 

Soon after, Mr. Golembiewski’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the resort, claiming that negligence led to the death. The lawsuit is currently pending.