According to US Ski Association 165,000 people are seriously injured on the slopes every year. Injuries include; fractures, torn and ruptured ligaments and knee injuries. It is estimated that Ski-related knee injuries alone exceed $250 million in medical bills each year in the US.
It is the general view that Skiing is a fast and dangerous sport. The people that participate in the extreme sport accept the obvious and necessary dangers that come hand in hand with Skiing.
In Vermont USA, an injured Skier who was left paralyzed after he collided with a bush received compensation. After his lawyer successfully argued that the bush should have been removed. In upholding the verdict the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that not every ski-related fall was inherent with the danger of the sport itself. And that the Ski operators have the same duty of care that other businesses have to their visitors.
Skiing-related injury cases can arise in a number of different circumstances:-
* Where there is a downhill collision with an object either natural or man-made.
* Skiers, snowboarders and people in control of snowmobiles and grooming equipment have a duty to be in control to the extent that their abilities allow and to avoid injuring others.
* Ski lift accidents – getting on and off the lifts can often lead to problems and injury. Half of all fatalities that have occurred historically on the slopes have been related to failure in the lift cable or carrier.