Bradshaw & Bryant

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Minnesota Ski Resort Accident Lawyer

We Help Injured Skiers and Snowboarders Hold Negligent Resorts and Riders Accountable

Minnesota is home to some of the Midwest’s most popular ski and snowboard destinations. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things that can go wrong when resorts aren’t careful and don’t take steps to protect visitors.

From Lutsen Mountains and Spirit Mountain to Buck Hill, Afton Alps, and Giants Ridge, Minnesota is full of ski resorts that need to maintain safe trails and monitor for reckless skiers who are capable of quickly turning a day on the slopes into a disaster. If you were injured while skiing or snowboarding due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. At Bradshaw & Bryant we’re here to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially when you suffer injuries because of someone else’s negligence.

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Ski and snowboard accidents we handle

There’s no shortage of things that can go wrong when skiing or snowboarding. However, with careful riders and proactive resort staff, it’s possible to minimize these risks. When someone does suffer an injury, it might involve one or more of these common causes:

  • Skier/snowboarder collisions: Reckless or out-of-control riders can put everyone around them at risk.
  • Lift accidents: Falls, abrupt stops, and mechanical failures can make ski lifts dangerous.
  • Equipment-related injuries: Faulty rentals or improper setups of ski equipment can put the rider in danger.
  • Trail hazards: Exposed rocks, tree branches, unmarked drop-offs can lead to serious harm.
  • Poorly marked trails. Skiers, no matter their level of experience, should know what trails and routes to take.
  • Slip and falls: Not all ski injuries occur on the slopes–slip and falls in lodges, parking lots, or lift queues can also lead to serious harm.
  • Bad weather accidents. Sometimes, a resort needs to close or suspend activities in extremely bad weather such as blizzards, or if there is a risk of an avalanche.

If resorts, businesses, or organizations sponsor or organize snow events, injuries resulting because of those activities may also lead to harm. Our Minnesota ski accident lawyers can review the facts and help identify the legal grounds for your claim.

Common ski accident injuries

Ski injuries in Minnesota fall into some common categories. For instance, people may experience:

In some cases, these incidents can lead to wrongful death cases, where victims’ families might have the ability to file a claim.

Who is liable for a ski or snowboard accident in Minnesota?

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we hold all responsible parties (there may be more than one) accountable. Possible parties that could be at fault include:

  • Other skiers/snowboarders: If people acted recklessly or failed to follow trail rules, they may be at-fault. Skiers should know, for example, who has the right of way when two skiers try to occupy the same spot on a trail.
  • Ski resorts/operators: The resorts themselves may be liable for unsafe trail conditions, lift malfunctions, poor signage, or untrained staff.
  • Rental shops: If defective or poorly fitted gear caused or worsened an injury, the rental shop could be at fault.
  • Third-party contractors: Snow groomers, instructors, or event organizers can also be responsible for injuries.
  • Manufacturers: The makers of lifts, skis, and other types of equipment may be liable if their defective products cause harm.

Under Minnesota law, it’s possible to recover even if you share liability for the incident, in many cases. The state’s modified comparative fault policy states that even if you are partially at fault, you may still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% responsible. However, the court will reduce your damages to account for your liability (if you are 30% at fault, you can collect 70% of your damages).

What to do after a ski resort injury

Following a ski resort injury, your first priority should be your health. But there are other considerations as well.

  • Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you’re not sure how serious the injury is, it’s best to get checked out.
  • Report the incident: Report the accident and injury to the resort management and request a written report.
  • Take photos: Photograph the area, the injuries, and any involved equipment to document what happened.
  • Collect contact info: If witnesses saw what happened, get their contact information.
  • Preserve all documents: Keep your lift pass, rental agreement, and medical bills, all of which might be useful when building your case.
  • Do not sign anything: It’s best not to speak to insurers without legal counsel. Your words could be used against you.
  • Call Bradshaw & Bryant: Your attorney can help you protect your rights and begin building your case.

Can I sue a Minnesota ski resort if I signed a waiver?

Many resorts require guests to sign liability waivers before using lifts or equipment. However, these waivers do not always hold up in court. If the resort or others caused your injuries because of gross negligence, malfunctioning equipment, dangerous trail maintenance, or the failure to provide adequate rescue or emergency aid, you might still be able to recover. Our personal injury attorneys can evaluate whether the waiver is enforceable in your case.

Damages available in a ski accident lawsuit

If you sustained injuries because of a ski resort accident, you might be able to recover damages. In a successful claim, you may be able to recover:

Economic damages

Economic damages cover financial losses. Proving these damages is fairly straightforward as many of the losses come with bills or receipts. In the case of future projected losses, it’s possible to come up with reasonable estimates. Here are the general losses:

  • Medical expenses (ER visits, surgery, rehab): From visits to the ER to rehabilitation, our Minnesota ski injury lawyers demand compensation for your full range of medical costs.
  • Future care or in-home support: In the case of severe catastrophic injuries, like paralysis, you might need compensation for your future care or in-home support.
  • Lost income and future earning capacity: You may miss work and lose income because of the injury and treatments like surgery. In serious cases, you might not be able to return to your old job, in which case, you can pursue damages for your future lost income or the reduction in your earning capacity.

There might be other losses you could recover for as well. You should contact your Minnesota ski resort lawyer to discuss what might be recoverable.

Non-economic damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages compensate for injuries that are harder to calculate, but very real nonetheless.

  • Pain and suffering: All the pain related to your injuries, from the moment it occurred through your recovery, should be compensated for.
  • Emotional distress: Injuries, and in particular, severe injuries, can lead to psychological harm in addition to physical.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: In the case of serious injuries, you might not be able to do the things you previously loved– like playing sports. This can also be part of your recovery.
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement: If the injury leaves you disabled or with disfigurement, such as serious scarring or a lost limb, you can recover for that as well.

In wrongful death claims, families who lost loved ones due to negligence at a ski resort may be able to collect damages like funeral and burial costs, lost income and support, and other damages.

Statute of limitations for ski accident claims in Minnesota

In Minnesota, you typically have 6 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). If the claim involves wrongful death, the time limit is three years (Minn. Stat. § 573.02)

Even long before the deadline, time is critical. Witness memories fade and evidence disappears. It’s extremely important to consult a lawyer right away.

Why you need a Minnesota ski accident lawyer

Insurance companies and resorts aren’t eager to pay out on injury claims. Instead, they will try to minimize their share of liability–often by trying to shift blame onto you. At Bradshaw & Bryant, our attorneys can help you fight back. Some steps we might take include:

  • Investigate trail conditions, lift records, equipment defects, and witness reports
  • Preserve and analyze resort video footage and staff logs
  • Work with skiing and snowboarding safety experts
  • Negotiate with insurers or take your case to court

While the resort may have a team of lawyers working to protect their interests, our goal is to maximize your recovery—because justice for the injured is our mission.

Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant?

Our Minnesota ski resort lawyers have the local knowledge necessary to pursue your claim effectively. We have decades of trial experience and proven results. Our team gives each client personalized attention and compassionate advocacy. We also offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win or settle your claim.

Do you have a ski accident lawyer near me?

Yes. Bradshaw & Bryant represents injured skiers and snowboarders across Minnesota. We have an office conveniently at 1505 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387. If you are too injured to come to us, we can come to you, or schedule a virtual or phone conference to discuss your case.

Contact us for a free case evaluation

You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s carelessness on the slopes. Let our experienced attorneys help you hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call our Minnesota ski resort accident lawyers today or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation. Let Bradshaw & Bryant fight for you while you focus on your recovery.