A jury in Brighton, Colorado, awarded $21 million to Annie Miller, who was left paralyzed after a fall from a ski lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort three years ago. The decision follows a significant ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court over a year prior, which found that liability waivers cannot shield ski resorts in cases where they violate state laws or safety regulations. This ruling facilitated Miller’s lawsuit and may have implications for future claims against ski resorts.
Miller’s legal representative, Brian Aleinikoff, noted that the verdict could create opportunities for skiers to hold ski operators accountable, especially in relation to chairlift incidents. He emphasized that while the inherent risks of skiing remain, issues surrounding the operation of ski lifts must be scrutinized more closely.
According to Judge Jeffrey Smith of the 17th Judicial District Court, the jury’s breakdown of the damages awarded included $5.3 million for non-economic damages, $10.5 million for economic damages, and another $5.3 million for the physical impairment and disfigurement Miller sustained. The jury attributed 25% of the blame to Miller while placing the remaining 75% on Vail Resorts, the owner of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. As a result, Vail Resorts is expected to pay around $12.4 million due to the jury’s fault allocation along with a statutory cap on non-economic damages.
In a statement released after the verdict, Vail Resorts expressed disappointment with the decision, contending it contradicted Colorado law. Katie Lyons, the communications manager for the company, also extended her sympathy to Miller and her family, acknowledging the significant impact of the incident on their lives. “We remain dedicated to upholding top safety standards in our operations,” Lyons added.
The incident occurred on March 16, 2022, when Miller, who was 16 at the time, fell approximately 30 feet from the Paradise Express lift. She had boarded the chairlift with her father but struggled to secure herself. As she hung from the lift, her father, Michael Miller, called out for the ride to stop while trying to pull her back to safety. The ski lift continued without stopping, ultimately resulting in Annie’s fall and subsequent life-altering injuries.
Michael Miller later filed a negligence suit against Crested Butte, alleging that the staff should have intervened to stop the lift as his daughter was in distress. Annie Miller, now a junior at the University of Tulsa, is pursuing studies in music and psychology.
Aleinikoff emphasized the importance of holding ski resorts accountable to safety regulations to protect individuals like Annie who come to enjoy skiing. “We’re not asking for much—just compliance with the safety measures they’ve committed to,” he stated.
This case may set a precedent, encouraging similar lawsuits aimed at improving safety measures in ski resorts and protecting patrons from avoidable accidents.
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