Ski Lift Failures or Loading/Unloading Accidents

Ski lifts, in the main, are relatively simple devices, most with established technology and a high degree of safety. However, equipment failures do occur and given the circumstances of use, catastrophic injuries can result.

Colorado law provides that ski area operators are obliged to operate their lifts in accord with the highest degree of care commensurate with the safety of the passengers. The liability in ski lift cases frequently is determined by the timing of the accident.

When the injury occurs during the ride, that is after loading and before unloading, generally the cause is poor maintenance by the ski area operator or an engineering, design or manufacturing defect.

Over 90% of all lift accidents arise while the skier is either loading or unloading and are a consequence of either skier error or improper operation by the lift attendant. The liability question is generally settled after balancing the operator's duty to exercise the highest degree of care against the skier / passenger's duty to pay attention, have the requisite skills to board the lift, and to heed all posted information and instructions. Unloading accidents can be the result of an operator's negligence caused by an inadequate ramp and snow maintenance and/or the failure to stop the lift to allow known inexperienced skiers to exit safe.

Read how we helped a client win a ski lift accident case.