Winter brings outdoor excitement to Clackamas, with families heading to Mount Hood, local ice rinks, sledding hills, and recreational parks to enjoy the season. While these activities offer healthy fun, they also create opportunities for serious injuries — from skiing accidents and ice-related falls to collisions caused by unsafe equipment or poorly maintained facilities.
At Peterson Law Offices, we’ve represented Oregonians injured in recreational and sports-related accidents for more than three decades. Winter sports incidents often raise complex legal questions, especially when liability waivers, rental equipment, and facility responsibility come into play. If you or a loved one is injured in a winter recreational accident in or around Clackamas, understanding your rights is essential.
Why Winter Sports Injuries Rise in Clackamas and Nearby Recreation Areas
Clackamas residents are uniquely positioned near some of Oregon’s most popular winter attractions, including ski resorts, tubing parks, and ice skating facilities. Whether you’re visiting Mount Hood Skibowl, Timberline, or local ice arenas, winter conditions increase the likelihood of injury.
Common contributing factors include:
- Icy walkways in parking lots or lodge areas
- Unsafe or poorly maintained rental equipment
- Inadequate supervision at sledding hills
- Crowded slopes during holiday weekends
- Inexperienced participants navigating steep terrain
- Poor lighting at evening ski or skate sessions
Not every injury is someone’s fault — but many are preventable when businesses and facility owners fail to maintain safe conditions.
Common Types of Winter Sports Injuries
Winter activities can result in injuries ranging from mild sprains to life-changing trauma. The most frequent injuries we see include:
- Broken wrists and ankles from skiing or skating falls
- Knee ligament tears (ACL/MCL) on slopes or rinks
- Concussions from collisions on ice or snow
- Back and spinal injuries from sledding accidents
- Dislocated shoulders during falls or abrupt stops
- Lacerations or bruising from equipment malfunctions
When someone else’s negligence causes these injuries, victims may have legal recourse.
When Is a Winter Sports Facility Legally Responsible?
Oregon law requires businesses and recreational facilities to exercise reasonable care to protect participants and visitors. This means:
- Maintaining safe walkways and ensuring ice or snow is removed
- Providing properly maintained equipment
- Offering adequate supervision or instruction
- Marking dangerous areas clearly
- Ensuring lighting is sufficient
- Responding promptly to hazards like debris or broken gear
A facility may be liable if it knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to correct it.
Examples of negligence may include:
- A ski lodge that neglects icy stairs
- An ice rink that fails to repair damaged rental skates
- A tubing park that doesn’t enforce safety spacing
- A rental shop that provides faulty or poorly fitted gear
In these situations, victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What About Liability Waivers?
Many winter attractions require participants to sign liability waivers. While these waivers can limit some claims, they do not protect businesses from negligence.
In Oregon, a waiver cannot excuse a facility from:
- Failing to maintain safe premises
- Ignoring hazardous conditions
- Providing defective equipment
- Violating state safety laws
Even if you signed a waiver at a Clackamas-area ice rink or ski resort, you may still have a case if negligence contributed to your injury. Discuss the specific terms with an experienced attorney before assuming your rights are limited.
Injuries on Public Property: A Different Legal Process
Some winter injuries occur on public land, such as city parks or county-maintained trails. These cases involve a different legal process, known as a tort claim notice, which requires notifying the government within 180 days of the injury.
If the injury occurred on public property in Clackamas County, early legal action is critical to preserve your right to compensation.
What To Do After a Winter Sports Injury
If you or a family member suffers a winter sports injury, take these steps immediately:
- Report the incident to facility staff or park officials.
- Document the conditions, including lighting, ice buildup, signage, and equipment.
- Take photos of the hazard, injuries, and surrounding area.
- Get the names of witnesses or staff who responded.
- Seek medical treatment right away.
- Preserve equipment, including skis, skates, boots, or helmets.
- Avoid signing further paperwork until speaking with an attorney.
These steps help create a strong foundation for your injury claim.
How Peterson Law Offices Helps Victims of Winter Sports Injuries
With more than 30 years of experience, our firm understands the unique challenges in winter sports injury claims, including:
- Disputes about liability waivers
- Facility negligence vs. inherent risks
- Equipment failure investigations
- Government liability for public property injuries
- Insurance companies minimizing or disputing claims
We gather evidence, interview witnesses, preserve equipment, and work with experts to build clear, compelling cases for our clients.
Learn more about our firm’s commitment to injured Oregonians by visiting our testimonials or contacting us through our contact form. You can also visit our office to speak with our team in person.
Protect Your Rights After a Winter Sports Injury in Clackamas
Winter activities should bring joy — not unexpected medical bills and long-term hardship. If negligence played a role in your winter injury in Clackamas or surrounding recreation areas, Peterson Law Offices is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
