Now paralyzed from the waist down, Gail Goehrig of Durango is suing Silverton Mountain, claiming her tragic injury was the result of the ski area failing to meet appropriate safety standards.
According to the Durango Herald, Goehrig took her daughter up Silverton’s one and only chair back for a scenic tour in March of 2016 and during the offloading process, fell from the platform into a section of rocks. After being airlifted from the scene with serious injuries, she would remain in the hospital for some time and has since garnered nearly $1 million in medical bills.
The Durango resident claims that certain safety measures were not met during the offloading process and that Silverton Mountain should be held liable for her injuries and the costs incurred. Silverton refutes that claim saying its employees, the chairlift, and the offloading area are up to snuff and instead alleges that it’s Goehrig’s fault for not abiding by the offloading directions.
#Durangoco woman sues @SilvertonMtn after she fell from chairlift and was paralyzed from the waist down.https://t.co/vObWMg0Wiz pic.twitter.com/xEv4PXnbBe
— Durango Herald (@DurangoHerald) November 30, 2017
In a court filing, Silverton Mountain defended itself saying, “Although Ms. Goehrig’s injuries are severe, and (Silverton Mountain)’s thoughts and sympathies are with Ms. Goehrig, (Silverton Mountain) is not liable for her fall, claims, or her alleged injuries and damages. (Silverton Mountain) and its employees acted appropriately. The chairlift at issue meets and exceeds the pertinent government and industry standards. Moreover, (Silverton Mountain)’s chairlift design was approved by a Professional Engineer, in compliance with Colorado law, and is inspected at least twice per year by inspectors for the State of Colorado.”
Goehrig’s legal team instead pointed to a lack of a snowbank on the place where she fell along with a lack of rails or barriers from the drop off. A tentative trial date should be forthcoming sometime in September of 2018.
Find the entire Durango Herald article here: Durango woman sues Silverton Mountain after falling from chairlift platform
