New Hampshire Ski Area Injury Lawsuit Dismissed

A judge has dismissed a Massachusetts couple’s lawsuit against the operators of a New Hampshire ski area, saying the companies can’t be held liable for a crash between a ski instructor and a teenage boy.

Susan and Michael Hanus sued Loon Mountain Recreation Corp. and Boyne USA after their 13-year-old son ended up with a concussion, broken arm and broken leg when an instructor on a snowboard collided with him in February 2011.

Under state law, skiers can’t sue over injuries resulting from skiing’s inherent risks, but the couple argued that didn’t apply because the resort employee violated the law by skiing across a closed trail.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante rejected that argument Thursday. Lawyers for both sides did not respond to requests for comment.