Snowboarding Accident Claims

Snowboarding is an exciting activity that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the slopes each year. However, like many other winter sports, it comes with the risk of accidents and injuries. When such incidents occur due to somebody else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a snowboarding accident claim.

Accidents on the slopes can arise from various types of negligence, such as faulty equipment, poor instruction and faulty ski lifts. While most injuries snowboarders suffer are moderate, some can have devastating consequences.

Contact us on 0800 470 0474 or use our online form to check if you may be entitled to compensation for snowboarding injuries. You will receive a free case assessment and legal advice with no obligation to proceed.

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Table of Contents

• Can I make a snowboarding accident claim?
• How do I claim compensation for a snowboard accident?
• What evidence will I need to support my snowboard injury claim?
• What are the most common causes of snowboarding accidents?
• Who could be liable for an accident while snowboarding?
• Can I still claim compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident?
• Common injuries caused by skiing or snowboarding
• Can I make a compensation claim on behalf of a loved one?
• Can I claim compensation for a snowboarding accident abroad?
• Time limits to start a personal injury claim for a snowboarding accident
• How much compensation could I receive for snowboarding injuries?
• Can I make a claim with the help of a No Win No Fee solicitor?

Can I make a snowboarding accident claim?

A free consultation with an experienced solicitor is the best way to find out if you can claim personal injury compensation. They will ask you some simple questions about the circumstances of your accident to determine whether:

• Another party, such as the ski resort or a manufacturer, owed you a legal duty of care.
• They breached this duty and caused your accident to happen.
• You suffered an injury and other losses due to this accident.

If these can be proven, your solicitor will help you start a compensation claim against the negligent party. You do not have to worry about establishing a duty of care. Your injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the claim on your behalf.

However, you should prepare as much evidence as possible about how the accident happened and how it has affected your life. Your solicitor will help you gather any further proof you may need to strengthen your case and secure the compensation you deserve.

How do I claim compensation for a snowboard accident?

If you’ve been injured in a snowboarding accident, you can follow these steps to claim compensation:

• First and foremost, you should have your injuries assessed as soon as possible, even if they don’t seem severe;
• Gather as much information as possible about the accident, such as photographs and witness details, and report it to the ski resort;
• Contact a specialist solicitor who will provide expert advice on the strength of your claim and guide you through the legal process;
• Your solicitor will help you gather additional evidence and establish liability;
• Your solicitor will submit your claim to the responsible party or their insurer, outlining the details of the accident, your injuries and the compensation sought;
• Once liability is admitted, you can begin to negotiate a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and any other damages;
• If you cannot settle, you may need to take your case to court (this rarely happens, as more than 96% of all claims are resolved without a trial);
• If your claim is successful, you will receive compensation for your injuries and damages within four weeks.

What evidence will I need to support my snowboard injury claim?

As with any other sports injury claim, it is essential to gather comprehensive evidence. This must prove the circumstances of the accident and the resulting injuries and could include:

• Detailed medical documentation of your injuries, treatments received and prognosis;
• A report from an independent medical specialist detailing the long-term impact of your injuries and your future care needs;
• Statements from people who witnessed the accident and can corroborate your account of what happened;
• Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries and the conditions or equipment involved;
• If available, CCTV or video footage of the accident;
• A copy of an accident report filed with the ski resort operator, which should detail the incident circumstances;
• A copy of a police report if you suffered a severe injury or criminal assault and the authorities were involved;
• A piste report from the local piste authority regarding the weather and other conditions at the time;
• Your testimony of how the accident has affected your mental health, daily life, and relationships;
• You also need receipts, payslips and invoices to prove any financial losses you want to claim.

What are the most common causes of snowboarding accidents?

Snowboarding accidents can be caused by a number of different things, including:

• Mistakes made by the snowboarder, such as exceeding safe speeds, losing balance or engaging in risky behaviour;
• Adverse weather conditions, such as fog, snowstorms or bright sun, which can impair visibility;
• Faulty or damaged equipment such as boots, helmets, snowboards or bindings;
• Using the wrong snowboard for the terrain type or your weight or skill level;
• Collisions with another skier or snowboarder;
• Inadequate training and guidance from ski instructors;
• Failure to maintain ski slopes, mark hazards, and ensure ski lifts are working correctly.

If you had a snowboarding accident because another party acted negligently, you may be able to make an injury compensation claim.

Who could be liable for an accident while snowboarding?

Based on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to bring a claim against:

• The ski resort operator, if the accident was caused by poorly maintained slopes, faulty ski lifts or lack of fencing or barriers;
• The ski lift operator if they failed to operate the ski lift safely and caused an accident;
• Your snowboarding instructor, if you were injured during a lesson because they gave you bad advice or failed to assess your skill level;
• The equipment manufacturer or rental company if your injuries were due to defective or poorly maintained equipment such as the snowboard, bindings or helmets;
• Another snowboarder or skier if they caused your injuries by crashing into you;
• Your tour operator, if you booked your trip as part of a package holiday.

Your solicitor will investigate the circumstances of your accident and identify the liable party. They will also work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from them.

Can I still claim compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Yes. Even if you were partially at fault for your accident or injury, you might still be able to claim compensation. However, your payment will be reduced based on your degree of fault. This is the principle of contributory negligence.

For example, if you suffered a head injury valued at £40,000 and you are found to be 25% to blame, you will only receive £30,000. This could result from failing to wear protective gear, not following safety protocols or ignoring warning signs.

In any case, you should avoid admitting any fault at the scene. Statements made in the heat of the moment can be taken out of context and jeopardise your claim. Instead, you should focus on collecting evidence and documenting the accident. It will be up to the defendant to prove your degree of fault.

Common injuries caused by skiing or snowboarding

Skiers and snowboarders are at risk of accidents due to the fast speeds when going downhill. These can range from minor falls to severe collisions, which can lead to injuries such as:

• Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, strains, and ligament damage are common among snowboarders. These affect especially the knees and ankles.
• Broken bones. Broken bones are often due to falls or collisions with another skier. These can range from simple fractures to injuries that require surgery and cause permanent issues.
• Head injuries. Head injuries range from bumps and concussions to severe brain trauma. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by a lot.
• Spinal injuries. Severe falls or impacts can lead to serious spinal injuries that can permanently impact mobility and quality of life.
• Wrist injuries. If you have a snowboarding accident, you may instinctively use your hands to break a fall. This can lead to wrist fractures, sprains, and dislocations.

If you were injured as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as any related financial losses.

Can I make a compensation claim on behalf of a loved one?

If a loved one had an accident while snowboarding and cannot handle a claim due to their injuries or other reasons, you may be able to help. In such cases, you could act on their behalf as a litigation friend.

This role involves making decisions in the best interest of your loved one and ensuring that their claim is handled adequately. To become their litigation friend, you must be formally appointed by the court. This involves proving that:

• You have a close relationship, and there are no conflicts of interest between you.
• You are capable of making fair and competent decisions on their behalf.

Once appointed, you will have several duties. You must liaise with solicitors, collect all relevant evidence related to the accident and decide on compensation offers from the defendant. If you secure a settlement, a judge must approve it during a court hearing.

Can I claim compensation for a snowboarding accident abroad?

If you had an accident while snowboarding abroad, claiming compensation can be a bit more complex, but it is still possible. If you booked snowboarding lessons or a snowboarding experience while abroad, you may have to make your claim directly overseas.

While this can seem daunting, you should consult with a solicitor with expertise in international claims as soon as possible. They can guide you through the process and help you understand the specific laws and regulations of the country where the accident occurred.

However, the process is more straightforward if you booked your trip through a UK tour operator, and they were in charge of your equipment rental or snowboarding lessons. In this case, you could claim directly against them in the UK under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

Whether you went snowboarding on your own or as part of a package holiday, a personal injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your accident.

Time limits to start a personal injury claim for a snowboarding accident

All personal injury claims, including for ski and snowboard accidents, have a three-year time limit. This begins when the accident occurred or when your injury was diagnosed and linked to the snowboard accident.

After three years, your case will be time-barred and no longer valid. It is crucial to begin the claims process as soon as possible so your solicitor can collect all necessary evidence and avoid missing the deadline.

There are some exceptions to the three-year claim limitation date:

• When a child is injured, the time does not begin to run until their 18th birthday. Before this, a parent or legal guardian can make a child accident claim at any time.
• If the claimant has suffered a severe brain injury or PTSD that affects their mental capacity, the time limit is put on hold until recovery. If the injury is permanent, the limitation date is suspended indefinitely.
• Losing a loved one due to someone else’s fault is an unimaginable loss. If someone you love suffered a wrongful death, you have three years to claim compensation from the date they passed away.
• If you were injured due to a criminal assault while snowboarding, you have two years to claim compensation through the CICA.
• If you are claiming for an accident abroad, the time limit could differ based on each country’s laws.

How much compensation could I receive for snowboarding injuries?

The amount of compensation awarded for a snowboarding or skiing accident is based on two types of damages:

• General damages cover your snowboard injury and how it has affected your daily life. For example, you could claim for physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement and impact on hobbies and activities you used to enjoy.
• Special damages cover the financial impact of the injury. For example, you could claim for medical treatments, loss of earnings, travel costs and assistance during recovery.

According to our compensation calculator, you could receive between £10,000 for a moderate hand fracture and £493,000 for a very severe brain injury.

Can I make a claim with the help of a No Win No Fee solicitor?

If you have a valid claim for compensation, you will be offered a no win no fee service. You do not have to pay any fees upfront, and your solicitor does not get paid unless you win. The whole process is risk-free and gives you access to legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

If your case is successful, your solicitor will typically receive a percentage of your compensation, known as a success fee. This percentage is capped at 25%, so it can’t be higher.

You can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance for further financial security. The ATE covers all the litigation costs if you lose, including the defendant’s expenses. You only pay the price of the ATE premium if you win.

To start your claim, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your contact information into our online claim form. You will receive a free case assessment with a friendly legal adviser who will thoroughly explain the claims process and let you know if you are entitled to make a claim.

Last edited on 25th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.