Skiing and snowboarding are one of the most popular winter recreational pastimes. They’re a fun, exhilarating way to get out and enjoy the beauty of the winter season and are good exercise.
In Washington, hundreds of thousands skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes each season sharing the slopes with those of a wide range of skill level from novice to very aggressive skiers and boards. Unfortunately, the season also brings many ski injuries, with some being serious, life altering accidents. In the most tragic accidents, deaths occur.
Types of Injuries and Damages
At Bishop Legal, we represent clients that have sustained catastrophic injuries such as:
– Quadriplegia
– Spinal cord injuries
– Paraplegia
– Traumatic brain injury
– Wrongful death
We seek recovery for victim’s medical bills, ongoing care needs, lost wages, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and other damages applicable by law.
Personal Injury Cases and Skiing
Ski area operators can’t be held liable for every injury that occurs on their slopes. For an injury claim to have standing, negligence must be present. Skiing injury cases tend to be quite complex and can require an experienced skiing injury lawyer for a successful outcome. While there may be inherit risks in the skiing of snowboarding, many injuries are caused by the negligence of others.
Responsible parties for an injury may include:
1. The Ski Resort. Ski resort operators have a duty to properly maintain and mark their slopes and properly maintain the safe operation of their equipment. Examples of this would be a dangerous unmarked slope or a chair lift that malfunctions. When there is negligence by the owner, a skier or snowboarder may have grounds for an injury claim.
2. Other Skiers. Collisions or falls that occurs when skiers or snowboarders recklessly strike others.
3. Ski Resort Employees. An example of this would be when a ski lift operator fails to turn off the lift in an emergency situation.
4. Manufacturers of Ski Equipment. Faulty or defective equipment such as skis, poles, boots, or bindings can cause serious injury. This may give rise to a product liability case.
Getting Help
At Bishop Legal, we investigate all aspects of a claim to determine the responsible parties for the assignment of damages caused. We seek the maximum possible compensation from the liable parties. We also represent victims of serious snowmobile injury accident when someone is injured due to the negligence of another party.
If you have been injured in a ski or snowboard accident, it’s important to take action quickly. Speak to a ski injury lawyer as soon as possible as they can help identify and gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and damages and initiate a legal claim.
