Family suing BSD, ski hill operator

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This article was published 22/03/2018 (2998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The parents of a 14-year-old girl injured during a school ski trip are suing the Brandon School Division and Minnedosa Ski Valley, claiming the two organizations failed to provide proper supervision, safe conditions and competent care for their daughter.

While on a ski trip with École Harrison last March, the girl broke her right tibia when she slipped and fell while skiing unsupervised, according to a statement of claim filed in Brandon Court of Queen’s Bench.

When Ski Valley employees were advised of the injury, they told her to put her ski boot back on and ski down the hill to the chalet, the statement said.

The girl told the employees that she had heard a snap, and asked to receive medical attention on the hill. But employees ignored her request and once again told her to put her boot back on. She was snapped back into her skis, and told to ski down the hill. 

A representative from the school called the girl’s mother and informed her that her daughter “had a minor accident” and was being transported to the Brandon Regional Health Centre, the statement said. The girl was then driven to hospital in the back of a teacher’s car.

By failing to adequately assist the girl down the hill, Ski Valley employees aggravated the extent of her injury and caused further damage, the girl’s parents say.

They also claim BSD failed to provide adequate supervision based on her skills and experience as well as the dangerous conditions of the ski hills.

It was determined the girl suffered a spiral fracture to her right tibia shaft, and as a result had to undergo numerous medical treatments and procedures — including full hip castings and several

weeks of rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

The couple claim their daughter experienced severe pain and reduced mobility, and they incurred — and will continue to incur — significant medical costs.

“As a further result of the incident, (the plaintiff) … continues to be unable to enjoy her pre-accident activities, including socializing, volleyball, recreation and hobbies to the extent that she did prior to the injury,” the statement read. “She has undergone and continues to suffer considerable pain and her enjoyment of life has been and will continue to be diminished and impaired.”

The family did not respond to requests for further comment.

The Manitoba School Boards Association made significant changes to its safety policy surrounding school ski trips after a 13-year-old student from Pilot Mound died in March 2015 when she fell on a Holiday Mountain ski hill she was not qualified to be on. Holiday Mountain is located in La Riviére.

Students are now required to have a clearly displayed visible marker that indicates what hills they are capable of skiing, and adult supervisors are given orange vests and armbands.

Ski hill staff are required to evaluate students before they are allowed to ski down runs designated within their ability level, and one to two adults are supposed to be on every slope.

Due to the nature of the litigation, a spokesperson for the school division was unable to respond to questions regarding whether or not this policy was followed.

BSD Supt. Marc Casavant as well as Ski Valley owner Don Horner declined to comment while it is being dealt with before the court.

Casavant did confirm they are in the process of compiling a statement of defence.

“It’s in our lawyer’s hands, so unfortunately I can’t comment any further,” Casavant said.

» edebooy@brandonsun.com

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