Ski Area Operators Immunity Bill  Would Send Skiers Downhill With No Safeguards

Senate and Assembly Bills Propose to Give Ski Area Operators Less Responsibility, While Skiers of All Types Would Have More

 State Senate and Assembly committees have heard testimony on identical bills that would significantly limit a ski area operator’s responsibility for injuries to skiers, including children of all ages and skills.

Senate Bill 388 and Assembly Bill 495, the ski area operators immunity bill, had public hearings on February 8 before the Wisconsin Senate Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce and Government Operations Committee and the Assembly Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee.

“These proposals put the responsibility on the skier to know and accept nearly all risks associated with skiing at a commercial ski hill,” said Ed Vopal, president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ). 

The bills put the burden on the skier to evaluate and assume potentially unknown risks, such as forest growth, boulders or drop-offs, while using a ski trail.  The bills also allow ski area operators to fulfill only very minimal duties to maintain proper facilities.  For example, the bills also do not require padding for ski hill infrastructure.

“While some commercial ski hills have become more dangerous due to jumps and other challenging features, these bills significantly limit ski area operators’ liability,” Vopal said.

The bills allow ski area operators to require that skiers sign a release of all liability, which is enforceable against the skier.  Wisconsin law does not favor liability releases.  The overall effect of this legislation is to make Wisconsin ski areas less accountable to the public, and therefore more dangerous for children and beginning adult skiers.

“These bills shift accountability for safety of the ski hill to the skier, no matter what age or skill level, rather than the people who own and profit from it,” Vopal said.

Proposed Wisconsin Ski Area Law Bad for Skiers and Tourism?

February 8, 2012, Public News Service story

Updated WAJ Auto Insurance Brochure

WAJ has created an updated brochure, "Understanding Auto Insurance," to help Wisconsin drivers protect themselves.  The brochure should help drivers evaluate what coverage they may need, and the benefits of optional coverage.  It also explains the changes in the law effective November 1, 2011, and what they should ask their insurance agent when they buy or renew a policy.

You can read the auto brochure by browsing our Consumer Resources page, which is found under "the truth about the state of justice" at the top of this page.

"Understanding Auto Insurance" also contains a section about “phantom motor vehicles” that make no physical contact with the insured or with a vehicle the insured is occupying.  Download the brochure to learn more!