Participating in winter sports is a wonderful way to stay active and catch a thrill during the snowy season. If you choose to do so, however, our Bucks County personal injury attorney strongly urges you to remember that hitting the slopes doesn’t come without risks. Each time you go on a skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing excursion, there is always a chance that you may be injured – even when you take safety precautions.
So what happens if you sustain injuries in a winter sports accident? Can you hold the facility accountable by filing a personal injury claim? The answer to this question will vary on a case-by-case basis.
While it is standard practice for winter parks and resorts to require visitors to sign a liability waiver agreeing to participate at their own risk, there are some scenarios in which a facility may still be held liable for a visitor’s injuries. Here are a few examples of such cases, courtesy of our personal injury attorney in Bucks County:
- If defective equipment contributed to the accident – When malfunctioning equipment is involved in a winter sports injury case, the facility and/or the manufacturer of the defective product may be held responsible.
- If the facility fails to keep the grounds safe and properly maintained – A facility may also be found liable for accidents which stem from their failure to adequately maintain all parts of the property, from the runs to the chairlift, so that they are safe for visitor use.
- If a negligence-related injury occurs off the slopes – Just like any other commercial establishment, ski resorts are expected to keep their facilities – both outdoors and indoors – safe for guests. Thus, you may have a claim if you are hurt anywhere on the property (in the ski lodge, on the sidewalk, etc.) and you can prove that the incident resulted from the facility’s negligence.
Proving negligence in a winter sports accident case is a complex task. If you or someone you love is injured in such an incident, it is in your best interest to enlist the help of a skilled Bucks County personal injury lawyer.
Gary Heslin: A Personal Injury Attorney Bucks County Residents Can Rely On
More than 30 years ago, Mr. Gary Heslin founded the Heslin Law Firm with the mission of seeking justice for negligence-related personal injury victims and their families. In the time since, he has earned a reputation for being a highly qualified and capable personal injury attorney in Bucks County and the rest of the Philadelphia area.
If you are looking for expert legal guidance following a winter sports accident or any other type of personal injury, Mr. Heslin is here to provide it. To set up a free consultation with him, call the Heslin Law Firm office at (215) 332-0300. And to make sure your car is ready for winter, read our recent blog post on this topic. We thank you for keeping up with the Heslin Law Firm, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any legal questions you may have this season.