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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational purposes and not legal advice. For specific legal inquiries, please consult an attorney. The information provided in this blog post is intended for the sole purpose of reconstructing accidents and injuries and not for serving as a risk management resource.

As we find ourselves at the beginning of the new year, ski resorts are becoming more popular in the upcoming months as winter holidays and spring breaks begin. Before tying up ski boots and tightening bindings, a common practice at a ski resort is to have skiers sign a liability form. This form may limit the legal rights of the skier to sue the ski resort or claim compensation following an accident on the slopes.  

Did you know approximately 75% of accidents on the ski hill occur due to collisions between skiers ^[1]. Of this statistic, head injuries are the most common and some form of impairment is often sustained.

In 2019, the actress Gwyneth Paltrow was sued after colliding on a ski hill with a fellow skier who sustained substantial injury. Paltrow, however, claimed that she was struck from behind and was not liable for the injuries that were sustained.  How can a LISKE Injury Biomechanics Expert help in this situation?

LISKE Injury Biomechanics Experts can help with assessing the mechanics of skiing accidents by analyzing forces, impacts, and motions involved and can examine the injuries sustained by the involved parties to provide an opinion about the severity and the direction of impact forces, helping to establish a clearer picture of events. Utilizing biomechanical analysis, force analysis, and analysis of human physical trauma, LISKE Biomechanical Experts can establish three key factors: how injuries have been caused, whether the claimed injuries align with the sequence of events, and who would be at fault.

Want to speak with an Expert?  Email experts@liskeforensics.com or call 1-888-674-3508.

Sources:

[1] Wallner, B., Rugg, C., Paal, P., & Strohle, M. (2022). Collisions with another person while skiing and snowboarding: A 13-year national registry analysis. Injury, 53(2022), 2485-2492. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2022.05.029

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