Injuries on Ontario Ski Slopes

#AskCoryRubin

The snow and cold temperatures of winter offer opportunities for residents and visitors to take advantage of the many opportunities to take to the slopes for skiing and snowboarding throughout Ontario. Regardless of your skill level, accidents and injuries are a common occurrence. When the cause of an accident on the slopes is caused by negligence or carelessness of another party, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Who might be at fault for your skiing or snowboarding injury?

Skiing and snowboarding are inherently dangerous activities. You accept the risk of injury normally associated with venturing onto the slopes with skis or a snowboard secured to your feet, but when the negligent, reckless or careless conduct of other parties cause you to be injured, you might be entitled to recover damages in a lawsuit against them.

If you are injured while skiing or snowboarding, you should have an experienced personal injury lawyer review the facts and circumstances to determine if other parties were at fault. Activities that could lead to liability on the part of others include the following:

• Ski resort operators: Improper grooming of the slopes, failure to provide adequate warning of known hazards, and improperly designed, constructed or marked trails could cause accidents and injuries through no fault on your part.
• Instructors: Lessons are essential for novices learning how to ski and snowboard, but some instructors may not be up to the task of teaching the proper techniques to avoid mishaps and injuries on the slopes.
• Other skiers and snowboarders: Careless and reckless behaviour on the part of other individuals on the slopes may create hazardous situations. For example, someone taking a shortcut by ignoring trail markings to ski across your path could cause a collision sending you to hospital for emergency treatment.

Another situation that could put you at risk of suffering a serious injury on the slopes is skiing or snowboarding in areas designated as above your skill level. You assume the risk of being injured if the decision to venture onto a difficult trail was your own decision. However, if the trail was mismarked or you were directed to a particular trail by an employee of the ski resort or by your instructor, you could have a claim for damages.

If the cause of an injury on the slopes is a defective binding or other piece of equipment, the provider and manufacturer of the equipment might become parties to a lawsuit in which you seek damages. An evaluation of the circumstances of the accident by a skilled personal injury lawyer is important because multiple parties could be at fault. For example, a defective binding that causes you to lose control while skiing and crash into a piece of grooming equipment left unattended could make the manufacturer of the binding and the ski resort operator could both share responsibility.

Steps to take to avoid injuries on the slopes

There are a few precautions you can take to minimize the risk of being injured in an accident on the slopes or to minimize the extent of your injuries, including the following:

• Take lessons and do not go onto slopes or trails that exceed your level of skill.
• Wear a helmet to reduce the risk or severity of a head injury.
• Check the bindings on skis and snowboards and replace any that show signs of wear or that or defective.
• Dress for the weather conditions to avoid frostbite.
• Be aware of your surroundings and the location of hazards, including other skiers.
• Do not venture onto closed trails or areas marked off as closed to the public

Leave the slopes and take a rest when you begin feeling tired or fatigued.

Ontario personal injury lawyers

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond & Diamond have years of experience successfully handling claims for compensation for individuals injured through the negligent or intentional conduct of other parties. Call the Diamond & Diamond injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT at any time of the day or night. You can also visit our website to speak to someone now. We offer free consultations and confidential case evaluations throughout Ontario.