Filing A Ski Accident Claim In Minnesota

When the winter weather arrives, many Minnesotans bundle up and hit one of the many ski slopes across the state. Skiing and snowboarding can be a wonderful experience for the whole family, but it can also lead to significant injuries. Sometimes you only have yourself to blame for your injuries on the ski hill, but if another person or the ski resort contributed to your injuries, you may have a right to compensation. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at filing a personal injury claim after a ski accident in Minnesota.

What To Know About Ski Accident Claims

When it comes to proceeding with a ski accident injury claim, it’s oftentimes in your best interest to do so with a lawyer by your side. Here’s a closer look at why ski accidents can be complex, and what you’ll want to know about pursuing an injury claim.

1. Multiple Parties May Be Liable – We can’t lay out every scenario, but oftentimes there may be more than one liable party for your ski accident injury. If there was defective machinery, inattentive staff, poor signage or other factors that led to numerous parties having a role in your injuries, you’ll want a lawyer to help name all the responsible parties so that you can pursue the biggest payout possible.

2. Personal Injury Suits Have Strict Deadlines – You may be focused on your health in the immediate aftermath of a skiing accident, but it’s also important to realize that the clock is ticking when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. The deadlines for filing a claim vary based on the facts of the incident, so speak to a lawyer as soon as possible following a skiing accident and get the ball rolling on your claim.

3. It Doesn’t Have To Be Intentional – Some people assume that they cannot collect damages if nobody intended to cause you harm, but that’s simply not true. That reckless skier who collided with you may never have intended to crash into you, but the fact of the matter is their actions could foreseeably lead to such an incident, and they can be held liable. Same for a ski resort that rents out unsafe equipment or fails to safely operate a chair lift.

4. You Can Collect Economic And Non-Economic Damages – You don’t just have a right to compensation for economic damages like medical expenses or wage loss. Minnesota injury law allows a claimant to collect damages for non-economic damages as well, like pain and suffering or a decrease in enjoyment of life. Again, talking with a lawyer about these aspects so that you can come up with a fair compensation offer is essential.

5. Expect Pushback – Even if you think you’re in the right or have a clear case for compensation, expect the other side to push back. Their insurance company may argue that you are more at fault than you originally claim, or they may try to shift the blame elsewhere. Don’t go it alone because you assume it will be easy, because you may end up losing your case or settling for pennies on the dollar. Hire a lawyer who can ensure you get everything you deserve following a ski accident.

If you’re one of the unlucky Minnesotans who is injured on the ski slopes this year, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm to see if you have a valid compensation claim. We’ll listen to your side of the story and let you know if we think we can get you an award. To set up your first consultation with our team, give us a call today at (952) 230-2700.