How To Get Billed For Being Rescued At A Ski Resort
Ever wonder what the cost of a search and rescue helicopter ride is? In certain places in the United States, if the actions leading up to the accident and subsequent rescue are deemed negligent, it could cost the person being rescued thousands of dollars. If someone happens to stray out of the boundaries at one of the privately owned Salt Lake City ski resorts, and is unlucky enough to experience a slip and fall accident or get caught in an avalanche, a lawyer wouldn’t be able to help them much.
Any type of slip and fall accident on the open runs of a privately owned Salt Lake City resort will be taken care of professionally by the ski patrol, and will generally cost the injured nothing besides hospital bills. If there is some sort of malpractice, a lawyer could even get involved to help recover damages. But, the minute a skier leaves the permitted area and is injured, he or she is out of luck, and will likely receive a hefty bill.
It’s a different story when a resort is leasing land from the federal government, as many in the Salt Lake City area do. In most states, the government picks up the cost of search and rescue missions, even if it’s a slip and fall accident as a result of negligent behavior. Time magazine reports these missions cost American tax payers $5 million dollars annually.
According to BackPacker.com, this practice may soon be a thing of the past. Many resorts are located near small towns, with minimal tax earnings. The search and rescue missions are usually coordinated by the sheriff’s department, and in recent years, the amount of rescues are so high, that sheriff’s have started billing the rescued party. In cases of negligent behavior, a lawyer doesn’t stand much of a chance in protecting the injured.
In fact, the entire state of New Hampshire has had a policy in place for the last decade, which guarantees the rescued party a bill if their actions were deemed negligent. While a rescue after a slip and fall during a night hike will probably not get the hiker billed, breaking a leg after sliding under a rope that says “avalanche danger, do not cross” could cost thousands.
If you or someone you know has been injured on the open trails of a ski resort, a Salt Lake City area lawyer could help protect you from damages. But, as soon as the “do not cross” line is crossed, you could be out of luck.
Ian Carry is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter
