With winter in full swing, thousands of skiing enthusiasts are hitting the slopes for some recreational fun. Located in Newry, Maine, Sunday River Ski Resort is a popular destination for snowboarders and skiers who can test their mettle on more than 135 trails and massive terrain parks that feature pipes, boxes and tricky jumps.
One of these “intermediate” terrain parks was the site of a recent skiing accident that seriously injured a young man. Authorities have yet to release the name or age of the skier, but we do know that he incurred a brain injury so serious as to warrant a Lifeflight helicopter to Lewiston’s Central Maine Medical Center. An investigation is underway by officials at the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, and it is still unclear if the resort will be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit.
Skiing injuries and laws of negligence
Most personal injury actions in Maine are based on allegations of negligence. In the event that you are injured in a snowboarding or skiing incident that you believe was caused by the negligent actions of a third party, you may be entitled to legal recovery for related monetary losses such as medical bills, lost income and loss of future earnings.
Brain injuries and spinal cord injury resulting from snowboarding or skiing accidents are on the rise, according to recent research by the CDC. Hospital bills for a TBI (traumatic brain injury) or spinal cord trauma can easily tally into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving victims and their loved ones financially strapped. In some cases, a product liability lawsuit is warranted if the skier was injured by a defective product (such as a faulty chair lift or rental ski equipment).
Other events that may give rise to liability include:
- A collision with another skier or resort employee who was acting with negligence
- An injury that results after attempting advanced terrain at the suggestion of your instructor
- The trails or terrain were poorly marked, designed or maintained, causing higher risk for injury
The bottom line is that individuals who were injured on the slopes may have a valid claim for damages, but successful recovery takes the knowledge and expertise of a Maine accident lawyer who is well-versed in skiing and snowboarding injuries.
Filing a Maine skiing accident lawsuit
Here at Hardy, Wolf & Downing, we know that winter-time recreation in Maine can be exceptionally rewarding, but we have also seen how negligence can cause severe personal injury and even the loss of a loved one. We have helped Mainers pursue claims arising from reckless behavior, excessive speed, poor maintenance and other scenarios.
If you have been harmed in a chair lift accident, collision with another skier, object or tree, or suffered injury from equipment failure, the law is there to protect your rights, and our attorneys are prepared to seek maximum damages on your behalf.
To learn more about your legal options, or to schedule a no-cost consultation with a skiing accident lawyer in Maine, please call our offices toll free at 1-800-INJURED.