Skiing Injuries & Potential Lawsuits

Colorado has long stood amongst the most popular locations for skiing and snowboarding for people all around the world, but with record-breaking attendance on the slopes comes the higher risk of accidents and injuries. If you suffer an injury while skiing here in Boulder and believe you have a case, our experienced Boulder ski accident lawyers may be able to help.

Proving Negligence Against Another Skier

Skiing and snowboarding are fun and stimulating activities to enjoy during the winter months, but they do not go without incidents, including skier to skier crashes. The Know Your Responsibility Code is the guideline for conduct of skiers and snowboarders. Safety on the slopes is everyone's responsibility.

• Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• Do not stop where you obstruct the trail or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings.
• Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must know how to load, ride, and unload safely.

While not exhaustive, the above list of guidelines should provide you with a general understanding of how to safely participate in alpine snow sports. In many cases, mountain resorts, as well as the states in which they operate often enact their own list of guidelines, such as the Ski Safety Act here in Colorado. It is a great idea to be familiar with any additional safety and responsibility guidelines before embarking on your next resort visit, wherever it may be.

If you were hit by a skier or snowboarder who broke to the Code, it could be significant evidence in proving negligence.

If you are hit by another skier, make sure that you obtain all of the contact information for the other skier and the ski patrol. Typically, ski patrol will give you this information.

Recklessness

Not only is negligence taken into account when it comes to accidents while skiing and snowboarding, but recklessness as well. The term recklessness classifies any action willfully disregards the safety of others.

Reckless actions occur when an individual knows that what they are doing is likely to be dangerous or unsafe, and they continue to do it anyway.

Ski Operator Responsibilities

As the operators of a ski resort are responsible for the safety of their guests. According to the Ski Safety Act, here are a few of the rules that resorts must abide by:

• The operator must ensure all snow-grooming vehicles have visible lights whenever they are on the trail to ensure skiers and snowboarders can see them.
• The operator must ensure they place visible notices in the area wherever maintenance is to occur, informing skiers and snowboarders of the dangers.
• The operator must ensure that all snowmobiles are properly equipped and maintained.
• The operator must clearly mark hazards.
• The operator must operate ski lifts safety.

If you have signed a waiver, you must prove that the Ski Resort Operator has been reckless. Negligence will not be enough to overcome a waiver.

Notable Ski Accident Cases

We represented Jason “Jake” White, who suffered from a skier-to-skier collision in 2006. With Jake’s injuries requiring 13 total surgeries to heal, we were able to recover more than $250,000 for our client.

We have also represented the family of Hoot Brown, a skier who was tragically crushed by a SnoCat groomer at the Telluride Ski Resort. Not only did we successfully recover compensation through a civil suit, but we were also able to secure upgraded safety for the resort. The particular trail received a new name, “Hoot’s Hood,” with our client having a statue placed at the top of the mountain immortalizing him.

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With several successful cases of skiing and snowboarding injuries under our belts, you can trust our experienced lawyers to seek the justice you deserve. We have received numerous awards, including being named among the Nation’s Top One Percent of lawyers by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.