Hillsboro Ski Accident Lawyers

Oregon offers some of the most diverse skiing experiences in the U.S. with many ski resorts offering scenic mountain views and a variety of skiing options for locals and visitors alike. Skiing can be a fun and thrilling sporting activity, but it also carries a great risk of injury. Both experienced and novice skiers can be involved in accidents resulting from poor trail conditions, reckless behavior, improper technique or defective ski equipment. If you have been injured in a skiing accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to take legal action. Oregon law surrounding ski accidents is complex and difficult to understand. This is why you could greatly benefit from the skills and resources of a Hillsboro ski accident lawyer at Rizk Law. We have experience representing skiing accident victims and will fight to provide you the legal representation that you and your family deserve. Founder and senior lawyer Richard Rizk is the volunteer general counsel for the Cascade Ski Club, one of America’s oldest ski clubs, and also helps coach downhill ski racing for Oregon Special Olympics.

Contact us today for a risk-free, no obligation consultation to review your case and determine the options available to you. All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront fees or costs involved. You do not pay us anything unless we recover adequate compensation for your case.

Call us at 503.245.5677 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form to get started.

Steps to Take After a Ski Accident

If you are involved in a skiing accident, you may be confused and unsure about what to do next. It can be scary experience, which is why it is important to know what immediate steps to take in order to protect your health and your legal interests.

This includes seeking immediate medical attention for any injury sustained. Even if you think your injury is minor, you should still see a doctor for a thorough medical evaluation. Having a medical record on file will help outline the full extent of your injuries and your treatment plan to validate your claim for compensation. Make sure to also obtain copies of records of your initial and ongoing medical treatments.

In the event you are injured but still able to collect information at the scene, exchange names and phones numbers with anyone involved, including witnesses to the accident. Eyewitness statements can provide valuable insight into how the accident happened and which party may be liable for your injuries.

Use your cellphone to also record information about the scene. Take pictures of your injury, any damage to your equipment, and the scene itself including any hazards such as trees or other fixed objects. Photographs can serve as invaluable evidence as to the severity of your injuries and the underlying cause of the ski accident. If you wait to take pictures or try to go back to the scene it might look different and you will have lost the opportunity to photograph the scene as it looked after your accident.

Once you receive medical care, you should consider contacting our Hillsboro ski accident attorneys to start investigating your case, determine your legal options and pursue the compensation you need.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.

Common Causes of Skiing Accidents

Skiing accidents can happen for any number of reasons and result in serious or fatal injuries. According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), there were 37 reported skiing fatalities during the 2017/2018 season. The majority of these accidents were the result of collisions with other skiers, trees or other stationary objects.

Other common causes of skiing accidents include:

• Chair lift accidents – these often occur when getting on or off a lift
• Collisions with a vehicle in the area
• Collisions with fences, barriers or signs
• Falling down a ski slope
• Malfunctioning ski equipment
• Being struck by low-hanging branches
• Inadequate ski instruction
• Improperly marked skiing areas or markers
• Poorly maintained ski lifts
• Poorly designed slopes or trails

If you plan on hitting the slopes, the NSAA recommends several collision safety tips to help you ski responsibly. Make sure to be ready to slow down or avoid other people or objects at all times. The key to successful skiing is being in control. This includes being aware of your ability level, the terrain and other skiers and riders around you as snow conditions can also drastically change.

Whenever you are starting downhill or merging onto trails, look uphill and yield to others passing by. Look out for spots on the slope where traffic merges and you are unable to see who is approaching. Take it easy down the slopes if it is your first time or you are unfamiliar with a particular run. Give other skiers and riders plenty of space when passing to avoid a collision with each other or another object.

It is also important to know your limits. If you find yourself on a slope that exceeds your technique, you should always leave your skis on and side step down the slope. Feeling tired or fatigued is also a sign to stop skiing and get some rest.

If you were injured in a skiing accident, you need a lawyer on your side who may be able to help you recover compensation for your injury.  A ski accident attorney in Hillsboro can review your situation and determine if negligence played a role in your accident.

Contact our office today by calling 503.245.5677.

Ski Accident Injuries

These types of accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor to more severe and life-threatening. Ski accidents can leave victims with:

• Knee injuries – Knee ligament injuries are common for skiers when too much strain is placed on the knee, causing tearing or stretching around the knee joint. Knee sprains can also happen when the knee becomes bent in the opposite direction.
• Head trauma – A high-speed collision can result in concussions, hematomas and other serious traumatic brain injuries, especially when not wearing a helmet. Any trauma to the head should be immediately checked out by a doctor to rule out any bleeding or swelling in the brain.
• Fractured wrists – When a skier falls and lands on his or her hands, it can put too much pressure on the wrist bones, causing a fractured or broken wrist. Wearing a wrist brace can help prevent this type of injury.
• Thumb injuries – Aside from a fractured wrist, falling on an outstretched hand can fracture or damage the thumb. This is also referred to as a skier’s thumb. The thumb can go numb or weak, causing swelling or bruising to appear. You may need a splint, cast or surgery depending on the extent of the injury.
• Shoulder pain – Falling on your shoulder or colliding with another skier can cause the shoulder blade to dislocate or other rotator cuff injuries that require immediate medical attention.
• Broken bones – A fall or collision with a skier or fixed object can result in broken bones, particularly in the lower legs. Wearing the appropriate protective gear can help protect you in case of an accident.
• Spinal injuries –  When skiers fall after a high jump on the slopes, they can suffer a spinal cord injury that could result in loss of feeling or pain in the legs or neck. Any injury to the spine requires emergency medical treatment to avoid serious complications. 

We understand how difficult it can be to pursue compensation on your own. This is why we are prepared to evaluate your situation and help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form so a Hillsboro ski accident lawyer can review your claim.

Oregon Laws on Skiing Activities 

Oregon ski laws were designed to protect ski area operators from liability for accidents involving skiers on resort properties. This means that proving negligence in a skiing accident is more difficult than other personal injury cases. Anyone who skis in Oregon, whether they know it or not, accepts and assumes inherent risks of skiing that are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary (ORS 30.975).

Under ORS 30.970, these certain risks include, but are not limited to:

Skiers must also follow a series of requirements within the state of Oregon. These duties are outlined in ORS 30.985. Some examples include skiing in designated areas, yielding to other skiers when entering a trail, wearing retention straps to avoid runaway skis, and not leaving an accident scene without giving notice of the injury to the ski area operator and leaving contact information if reasonably possible.

Failure to comply with these duties may result in the ski area operator withdrawing your skiing privileges on the resort property and potentially harming your chances of recovering compensation if you and not someone else was at-fault for the accident.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form today.

Speak to a Hillsboro Ski Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a skiing accident, it could be in your best interest to contact a Hillsboro ski accident lawyer to review your legal options. We have in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations surrounding skiing accidents in the state of Oregon and will work tirelessly to try to obtain the compensation you deserve. We can guide you through every step of the claims process and gather all the necessary details to help prove negligence played a factor in your accident.

We offer free consultations at no risk or obligation to you. If you decide to move forward, there are no upfront costs or fees to worry about unless we help you recover compensation for your case.

Contact us at 503.245.5677 or complete our online form to learn more.