Skier Sues Nevada Resort Over Accident

A Florida skier has sued the owner of Heavenly Mountain Resort on Lake Tahoe’s south shore, claiming she was seriously injured when an employee on a snowboard crashed into her last January.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Miami-area paramedic Kimberly Bland on Wednesday in Reno federal court, alleges Vail Resorts Inc. is liable for its employee’s negligence.

The complaint claims Bland was on the resort’s Nevada side trying to decide where to ski next when Heavenly lift operator Daniel Barreno struck her while riding his snowboard.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports Bland was knocked unconscious and suffered injuries to her head, neck, shoulder and back, and the suit seeks at least $350,000 in damages, plus costs.

Vail Resorts and Heavenly spokesman Russ Pecoraro says they don’t comment on pending litigation.