Can you claim compensation if you are injured skiing or snowboarding?

With the snow season kicking off in the UK, Europe, and beyond, many people will be flocking to ski resorts and snow activity sites once again. However, as with all sports, there comes a risk of injury. If you have been injured as a result of a skiing, snowboarding or other snow sports accident, you may be entitled to bring a claim for compensation. In this article, we look at the circumstances that may or may not allow you to bring a claim.

The accident must be at least partially the fault of another party

One of the most important aspects of any personal injury compensation claim is proving that another party’s actions caused your accident or injury. For example, if another skier acts dangerously or carelessly on the slopes and causes you injury, you may be able to bring a claim against them – which is most often covered by an insurer.

Who can I bring a snow sports accident claim against?

There are thousands of ways in which you might be injured whilst taking part in snow sports, but the exact circumstances of your accident will determine who you should bring your claim against. You may be able to bring a claim against:

• Another skier – if they act dangerously or carelessly on the slopes.
• Your tour operator – if you booked the excursion as part of a package and they did not properly investigate the health & safety standards of the ski centre or instructor, or those standards were not met.
• The ski centre – if they fail in their health & safety obligations such as upkeep of the slopes, ensuring staff are properly trained, and that guest areas are free from hazards.
• Your ski tutor – where they act carelessly during their instruction or provide you with poor guidance causing you to have an accident.
• The ski lift operator – where they are negligent in their actions operating the ski lift or the ski lift is faulty or poorly maintained.

Making a claim for a skiing accident abroad

Many people travel overseas to visit ski resorts to find the best slopes and snowfall. However, making a claim for an accident or injury caused while overseas may be a bit more complicated. If you booked the trip with a UK tour operator, you might be able to bring a claim against them, which will make the process more straightforward. If you booked directly, you may be able to bring a claim against the ski centre, lift operator, or individual skier. The rules about making a claim differ depending on the local laws of where your accident took place, and some activities may be governed by rules which are recognised and adopted at many resorts across the globe (think of these as the skiing or snowboarding equivalent of the “highway code”). You should consult a specialist solicitor who will be able to help you.

If you would like to discuss a personal injury claim with one of our solicitors, please get in touch by calling 01752 663295 or messaging us via our live chat.