Challenging

Colorado Jury Awards $21 Million in Landmark Ski Lift Case, Challenging Resort Liability Protections

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Crested Butte, Colorado — A jury has awarded $21 million to a 20-year-old woman who was left paralyzed after a fall from a ski lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort three years ago. The verdict marks a significant development in liability matters for ski operators. The jury’s decision follows a pivotal ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which stated last year that liability waivers do not prevent ski resorts from facing legal action if they violate state laws or regulations. This ruling paved the way for Annie Miller’s lawsuit, potentially changing the landscape for ski-related … Read more

Colorado Jury Awards $21 Million to Paralysis Victim After Ski Lift Accident, Challenging Resort Liability Protections

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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 … Read more

Landmark Ruling: Colorado Jury Awards $12.4 Million to Paralyzed Skier, Challenging Long-Standing Liability Waivers in Ski Industry

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CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. — A jury has awarded $12.4 million to Annie Miller, a woman paralyzed after falling from a chairlift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in March 2022. This ruling represents a significant shift in the legal landscape concerning ski resorts, which have historically relied on liability waivers to shield themselves from lawsuits. Miller, then 16 years old and on a ski trip with her church group from Oklahoma, fell approximately 30 feet when she slipped from the Paradise Express lift. Her family contended that the lift operators were negligent, alleging that they failed … Read more

Milestone Verdict: Colorado Jury Awards $20 Million to Paralyzed Teen After Ski Lift Tragedy, Challenging Resort Liability Practices

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GUNNISON, Colo. — A jury has awarded $20 million to Annie Miller, a young woman who became paralyzed after a tragic accident on a ski lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 2022. The case has sparked significant attention regarding safety regulations in the ski industry. Miller, then 16, was on a ski trip with her church youth group from Oklahoma when the incident occurred. As she attempted to board the Paradise Express Lift with her father, she was not fully seated when the chair began its ascent. Eyewitnesses reported that Miller called out for … Read more