Skiing injury claims

Skiing carries natural risk, but if your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Our specialist international injury team is here to guide you through every step.

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Author

Ross Smith

International Injuries Team Lead

Reviewer

Jamil Mohammed

Solicitor

Last Updated

14th July 2026

Can I make a skiing accident claim?

We understand how distressing it can be to be involved in an accident abroad. Being injured in a foreign country can feel overwhelming, and what should have been a relaxing holiday can quickly become a stressful and uncertain experience. You may be able to make a skiing accident claim if you were injured on the slopes due to someone else’s negligence.

Our specialist international injury team can help you make a skiing accident claim, if your injury was caused by the actions of another party. That could be another skier or snowboarder, a ski school, a resort operator, or a tour operator who failed to keep you safe. Skiing injuries can be serious and life-changing – affecting your mobility, your ability to work, and the quality of your everyday life.

Even if you’re unsure if you have a claim, our specialist team can advise. In most cases you have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim, though this can vary if your accident happened abroad – which makes early advice especially important. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a case.

Example of a skiing accident claim

If a skier on a marked piste is struck by another skier, who was acting recklessly and ignoring slope rules, the collision might cause a serious injury. The injured party might experience a serious knee fracture and a head injury, that might require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.

If we can argue that the other skier was in breach of health and safety regulations, required on the slopes for the safety of themselves and other slope users, this could be a valid skiing accident claim.

Types of skiing accident claims we support

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months
Dedicated rehabilitation and wellbeing team

What compensation can help with

Person standing on skis with poles in snowy landscape at sunrise or sunset

Covering the costs of your recovery and protecting your financial future.

Claiming compensation after a skiing accident is an important first step in your recovery. Skiing accidents can have life-altering consequences, with the potential to cause complex orthopaedic injuries and serious head trauma. Securing skiing accident compensation can help you access the financial support you need to recover properly and rebuild your life. Sometimes that means funding private medical treatment, covering lost earnings, or accessing rehabilitation.

A successful skiing injury claims may help fund:

Pain and suffering, and the impact on your quality of life
Loss of earnings, including future losses if you cannot return to your previous work
Medical treatment costs, including treatment received abroad
Travel and repatriation costs
Ongoing rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Adaptations to your home or vehicle
Ongoing care and support needs, for the most serious cases
For more detailed guidance on what your claim might be worth, our dedicated skiing accident compensation guide covers this in full.

Understanding the potential value

No two skiing accident claims are the same. The value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and the level of care and support you need going forward.

For serious injuries – such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or complex fractures – claims can be significant in value. Our team handles high-value and complex international cases regularly and can give you an honest assessment once we understand your situation.

Understanding interim payments

Suffering a skiing injury abroad can bring added financial pressures. Alongside the usual costs associated with your recovery – whether that is specialist medical treatment, mobility aids or rehabilitation – there is also the additional consideration of travel back to the UK, and any costs incurred when trying to navigate an unfamiliar country.

Where possible, we’ll seek to secure interim payments on your behalf. Particularly in complex claims, interim payments can help to relieve some of the financial pressure associated with your recovery, and give you access to the support you need, at the time you need it.

Specialist skiing injury solicitors

Our team has decades of experience in complex international skiing injury claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your skiing accident claim?

International law is a niche area, so it’s important to have a solicitor who has a specialism in this area. Skiing accident claims often involve cross-border legal principles, and varied nuances in the law which differ, country to country. These details add layers of complexity that require specialist knowledge. At Fletchers, our dedicated international injury team has the experience, the legal expertise, and the established relationships with trusted foreign lawyers to handle your claim properly - wherever in the world your accident happened.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist international injury solicitors with over 25 years of experience in complex cross-border claims
Recognised by Legal 500 as a leading firm in serious personal injury law
In-depth knowledge of international travel law, including the Montreal and Athens Conventions, Package Travel Regulations, and cross-border legal principles
Experience handling the most serious skiing injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputations
Rehabilitation-first approach – working to secure the practical support you need from the earliest stage of your claim
Established relationships with trusted foreign lawyers to ensure your claim is properly investigated and progressed
Proud partners of national charities including the Spinal Injuries Association, Headway, and Amputation Foundation
No win, no fee, including a free initial consultation, so you can pursue your claim without any upfront cost or financial risk

You're not alone

We understand international law, and we’ll guide you through this.

Being injured on a skiing holiday is frightening. What should have been an enjoyable, active break can leave you dealing with serious physical injuries in an unfamiliar environment. The added stress of being in a healthcare system that feels hard to understand, and the added stress of trying to get home can feel really difficult. For many people, the uncertainty of being injured abroad makes everything feel harder.

That’s why choosing the right skiing accident lawyer is important, particularly in complex international claims. Accidents abroad can become complex, so having a solicitor with experience in international claims can make all the difference.

We have an in-depth understanding of international law and key travel and injury regulations – including the Montreal and Athens Conventions, Package Travel Regulations, and established cross-border legal principles. What makes us stand-out is our rehabilitation-first approach. We don’t just support your legal case, we help you access the practical support you need to recover and live well after your injury.

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FAQs about skiing injury claims

What is a skiing accident claim?

A skiing accident claim is a legal claim made when someone is injured on a ski slope or at a resort due to another party’s negligence. That could be another skier, a ski school, a resort operator, or a tour operator who failed to keep you safe.

Can I make a skiing accident claim if it happened abroad?

Yes. Many skiing injury claims arise from accidents overseas, particularly in popular European ski resorts such as France, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to bring your claim in the UK.

International law is a specialist area, and time limits for bringing a claim can vary from country to country – so it is important to seek early advice. Our team works with trusted foreign lawyers to ensure your claim is properly investigated and progressed.

What needs to be proven in a skiing injury claim?

To succeed with a skiing accident claim, we need to show that a duty of care was owed to you, that this duty was breached, and that the breach caused your injury. Establishing this is our job as your legal representatives – you do not need to worry about gathering evidence yourself.

Our team gathers and analyses evidence such as:

Ski patrol accident reports
Witness statements
Helmet camera footage
Lift pass data
Medical reports
Resort safety and maintenance records

Can I claim skiing accident compensation if another skier hit me?

Yes, in many cases. If the other skier was acting recklessly or failed to follow slope rules, you may be able to pursue a skiing accident compensation claim against them.

How much skiing accident compensation could I receive?

Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and their financial impact – including lost earnings, treatment costs, rehabilitation needs, and the longer-term effect on your life. For detailed guidance on potential compensation amounts, please see our dedicated skiing accident compensation guide.

How long do skiing injury claims take?

The timeframe varies depending on the complexity of your claim, whether liability is accepted, and the evidence available. International claims can take longer than domestic ones, particularly where foreign law or overseas insurers are involved. Our team will give you an honest assessment of timescales once we understand the details of your case, and will keep you updated throughout.

Do I need a solicitor to make a skiing injury claim?

For international and serious skiing injury claims, having an experienced solicitor is important. These claims involve complex areas of law – including cross-border regulations, international travel conventions, and the involvement of foreign insurers. A solicitor with specific expertise in international injury claims will give your case the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

Who will support me during my skiing accident claim?

Our Legal 500-recognised solicitors have extensive expertise in complex international injury claims, including direct right of action cases and matters involving the Montreal and Athens Conventions. They regularly represent clients with life-changing brain, spinal, and amputation injuries, delivering a rehabilitation-focused approach tailored to each individual’s recovery needs.

Ross Smith – Head of International Injuries

Ross Smith leads Fletchers International Injuries Team and brings over 25 years of specialist experience in serious personal injury and travel litigation.

With Legal 500 recognition, Ross is known for handling complex crossborder claims, including skiing accidents abroad, and regularly applies international law such as the Package Travel Regulations, Montreal and Athens Conventions to secure justice for clients injured overseas.

He combines strategic legal expertise with a rehabilitationfirst approach to help clients rebuild their lives. His leadership ensures clients receive expert support from the first consultation through to settlement.

Jamil Mohammed – Personal Injury Solicitor

Jamil Mohammed is a personal injury solicitor with strong experience in serious and catastrophic injury claims, including accidents that occur on holiday abroad such as skiing incidents. He has extensive expertise in international claims, including direct right of action cases and matters involving the Montreal and Athens Conventions.

Jamil is passionate about helping clients secure the support and compensation they deserve, particularly for lifechanging injuries such as brain, spinal, and amputation injuries, which often require a rehabilitationfocused approach. He supports clients every step of the way, providing both strong legal representation and empathetic advice.

Daria Siokalo – Litigation Executive

Daria Siokalo is a Litigation Executive in our International Injury Team, specialising in a wide range of fasttrack and intermediate international injury claims, including Package Travel Regulation matters, and cases under the Montreal and Athens Conventions.

With several years experience in personal injury law, Daria has developed strong expertise in handling international claims and supporting clients who have suffered serious injuries abroad. She is committed to guiding clients through the complex legal processes involved in these claims, helping them secure the best possible compensation.

How does No Win No Fee work for skiing accident claims?

We handle skiing accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you can pursue your claim without any upfront legal costs. We start with a free initial consultation to assess your case and advise on its prospects.

If your claim is successful, a success fee is deducted from your compensation to cover legal costs. If your claim is not successful, you do not pay any legal fees. This means you can access expert legal representation regardless of your financial situation.