Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Blog | Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis LLP

According to a recent article in Injury Prevention, traumatic brain injuries caused by skiing and snowboarding are on the rise. People under the age of 35 are three times more likely to incur these fatal and catastrophic injuries than older skiers. Males are 2.2 times more likely to incur a brain injury than females.

While brain injuries make up only a small percentage of the injuries caused by winter sports, they are the largest portion of fatal and catastrophic injuries incurred while skiing and snowboarding. The reason is that skiers and snowboarders are taking more risks on the slopes. Higher speeds and more jumping and acrobatics are contributing to the rise in brain injuries.

Colliding with other skiers and crashing into hard surfaces cause the most injuries as do impacts with trees, impacts with ski lifts, and lift accidents. Skier to skier collisions may not sound so bad, but when they happen at high speeds, the impact can be deadly.

If you’ve never gone skiing you might be surprised at how hard that snow can be. The snow on ski slopes gets packed down into a solid surface as more and more people pass over it. Thawing and refreezing can turn powder into rock-hard ice.
Ways to Prevent Injuries

Wearing a helmet may help protect your brain while skiing and snowboarding. Helmets can reduce the risk of serious brain injury anywhere from 22 to 50% according to reports.

One suggestion to be safer on the slopes is to stick to hills that are within your skill range and always be aware of your surroundings. Also, check to make sure that all of your equipment is in good working condition before you get on the lift. This includes boots and bindings.

Skiers have a duty to ski within their ability to maintain control and to watch out for skiers below them. Skiers and snowboarders can be held responsible when they cause accidents due to recklessness.

When you get up on that mountain, you accept certain inherent risks of winter sports. Ski areas cannot be held liable for these basic risks, but they can be held responsible when they are negligent.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a winter sports accident through no fault of your own, you may have a premises liability case on your hands. Please contact the Philadelphia firm of Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our experienced premises liability lawyers.