Many serious skiing accidents cause grave harm. One of the most common injuries caused by a high-speed collision is cranial injuries ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Even a moderate TBI can have long-lasting or permanent effects forcing the injured person to adjust to a whole new reality. They may have difficulty doing mental tasks that we take for granted, like ordering at a restaurant or counting out the correct change at the corner store. TBI's can impact motor function as well, like walking, talking, and even buttoning a shirt.
Spinal injuries are another common skiing injury. A spinal injury can cause permanent changes in sensation and strength below the site of the injury, including paralysis. Broken bones are another frequent injury that may cause extreme pain and loss of functionality depending on the severity of the trauma. Some breaks even require surgery to reset the bone or insert metal rods. Sprains, fractured wrists, and shoulder dislocations are all common in skiing accidents. And while the latter seems minor to a TBI or spinal injury, they are still painful and can impact your ability to enjoy life and make a living.
In the state of Utah, there is a Safe Skier Act which is legislation protecting Utah ski area operators from liability when a skier is injured due to the inherent risks of skiing. Inherent risks are generally defined as changing weather conditions, hazardous terrain, crashes with other skiers, skiers attempting to ski beyond their ability, and poor snow quality (slush or hard-packed ice.)
The purpose of the Utah Skier Safety Act was to clarify previously ambiguous ski injury liability as it relates to ski area operators. With this act in place, they can now purchase liability insurance at a reasonable rate. However, the act does not protect ski area operators from injuries caused due to their own negligence. Navigating the subtle nuances of this law and proving negligence is something our personal injury lawyers can do for you.