The reason that this thread is eliciting all the response is simply because these kind of lawsuits hurt the entire ski industry. Skiing is a complicated sport with lots of complicated equipment with relatively low tolerances for error, also it has a steep demand for athleticism and skill to do it correctly. It is also an inherently dangerous and risky endever, with many uncontrollable variables. Skiers should recognize and understand all of this, and should have signed a release of liability form when they pick up their equipment. A huge factor is after the equipment leaves the shop. Did the skier understand the warnings and instructions? I don't care how many times you tell people how to put their boots on, and skis on (clean the snow off the sole), far too many don't follow instructions. Did the skier tamper with the bindings and/or binding settings? I can't tell you how many times I find binding settings turned-up to max DIN by a customer or customer's significant other because they "know" how to set bindings or don't want the skis to come off. Demo/Rental bindings are made to be easy to adjust by the binding technician to facilitate rental efficiency, but the adjustment levers can be inadvertently be moved pretty easily, especially by a relatively inexperienced renter. A click forward or back on a toe or heel piece can and does dramatically effect proper binding release/retention. Another unfortunate factor is the "shit can happen" factor. You can do all the equipment maintenance by the book and maintain it the best you can, but sometimes equipment just will fail. Most bindings are made with plastics, and get abused mightily, it's amazing that they are as resilient as they are. Ski bindings just sometimes fail or break, without warning, or any indication of trouble, just because of the nature of the material that they are made of. Everyone is sorry that the skier in question was hurt and we all hope that she has a full and speedy recovery. Unfortunately, sometimes that's just the way it goes. It is an uncontrollable environment and there are limitations as to the safety of the sport, just recognize it and move on. Don't blame and/or sue everyone in the industry because of your misfortune.
