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

Personal Injury | 4th February 2022

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
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.

We know it can seem overwhelming to speak to a lawyer but getting the legal advice you need is the first step to getting the compensation you deserve.

To discuss this, or any other personal injury related matter, please contact Gerard on 01483 887766, email info@hartbrown.co.uk or start a live chat today.

*This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.

Gerard Sanders

Partner, Head of Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Gerard qualified with a large regional firm in 1991. Since 1995 he has specialised exclusively on claimant personal injury work. More recently he has focused...

Partner, Head of Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Gerard Sanders

Gerard Sanders 's Blog Posts

Gerard qualified with a large regional firm in 1991. Since 1995 he has specialised exclusively on claimant personal injury work. More recently he has focused on complex higher value clinical negligence and personal injury claims, achieving seven figure settlements in personal injury cases involving amputation, multiple orthopaedic injuries and head injuries.

His greatest success has been winning the high profile case of Delaney-v-The Secretary of State for Transport where after almost 9 years of litigation involving two Court of Appeal hearings and an application to the Supreme Court he was finally able to establish that the Motor Insurers’ Bureau Agreement was incompatible with EEC law. As a direct result of the decision in this case the agreement has had to be amended to the benefit of many future victims of uninsured drivers.

Gerard is a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and he appears in the latest Legal 500 rankings in the fields of personal injury and clinical negligence.

Gerard’s other professional qualifications include a Diplome D’Etudes Juridiques Francaises from Strasbourg University.

What do people say about Gerard?

“I have the highest regard for you and your company.” – Dr Philip Steadman , Consultant Psychiatrist.

“He is a pleasure to work with and always gains the absolute best outcome for those who instruct him. He is highly responsive and he has an eye for detail with a sensible overview of the global issues.” – Colin McDevitt, Barrister, 3 Paper Buildings.

“I think that is an excellent outcome!. You have phenomenal negotiation skills. I work with insurers every day and to say the very least they are a challenge!” – client.

“It has been an unbelievably difficult time over the past few years. The decision to have my leg amputated was not particularly easy, nor was the rehabilitation. To do all of that whilst worrying about my case would have quite simply been overwhelming. Having you there meant that I had none of that worry. I have always known as I was in incredibly good hands and that I had nothing to be concerned about… You have made a unfathomably difficult situation immeasurably easier, and I will be forever grateful to you.” – client.

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