Utahans quick to take advantage and sue ski resorts for injuries.

The Park City Utah Park Record is reporting in Late skier’s family files a lawsuit that the family of a deceased ski racer has filed a suit against the resort and race organizer where he died. The deceased was practicing for a race when he crashed. He was not found for 8 hours after the crash and died.

Normally, a racer would sign a release before a race and any practice. Racers usually assume the risk of the course and the activity. However the report states the lawsuit is about the failure to design the course and find the victim after the crash, items that might not be assumed, but would be protected by a release.

The fatality occurred a little more than a month after the Utah Supreme Court changed the law with the lawsuit started a year after the fatality and 13 months after the law change.

See Utah Supreme Court Reverses long position on releases in a very short period of time for a discussion of the Supreme Court Decision that allows this suit. For an in depth discussion of the Utah Supreme Court decision see Utah Supreme Court flip flop on releases for ski areas could have broader consequence (Subscription).