Check claim against skier
Where there was active pushing or loss of control, we check damages against the person causing the incident.
Cableway & lift operators
Collision in the lift queue: liability in the waiting area
Crowding, pushing sideways and falls in the lift queue: who is liable, when the operator must organise, and which evidence matters.
Your personal attorney
Mag. Christopher Angerer, Rechtsanwalt
Your lawyer for ski and alpine accidents
Ski and alpine accidents are complex and emotional. One lawyer you know, from the first question to the courtroom. Strong practical background (former ski instructor, mountain rescuer and dog handler).
In larger cases, the work is handled as a team (lawyer, trainee lawyer, legal assistant). Court hearings and negotiations always remain a matter for the lead lawyer.
5 July 2026 · Mag. Christopher Angerer, Rechtsanwalt
The lift queue is not simply open piste terrain. Transport contract, house rules, operator duties and the conduct of other winter sports users meet here.
In crowding situations evidence questions arise: was it a normal bump, an avoidable bottleneck or a poorly organised lift access area?
Sort your case
Check the first legal direction
Three short answers show which route should be checked first.
You already know you want to send a request? Go directly to the contact form.
What happened in the waiting area?
Your answer decides which review should come first.
All paths at a glance
Overview of all answers.
Check operator duty
In bottlenecks, icing or missing guidance, an operator breach may be relevant.
Clarify supervision
With children and groups, age, skill and organisation matter.
When the operator must organise the queue
When the operator must organise the queue
The operator must organise access so typical risks remain manageable. This includes barriers, visible traffic flow and reaction to dangerous bottlenecks.
Not every bump is an operator error. The question is whether a concrete atypical danger was created or tolerated too long.
Why personal conduct still matters
Why personal conduct still matters
Anyone pushing, placing poles across others or moving abruptly risks personal fault. Even with operator fault, contributory fault can lead to a quota.
For injured persons it is important to record whether the fall resulted from external pressure, ice or own movement.
Distinction: This article concerns the queue before the lift. Boarding or exiting falls and RFID turnstiles are separate groups of cases.
Frequently asked
Questions on lift queues
Is the operator liable for every fall in the queue? +
No. A concrete breach is needed, for example dangerous organisation, ice or defective barriers.
Is the pushing skier liable? +
Yes, if the conduct was careless and caused the fall.
Which evidence matters? +
Photos of the area, witnesses, incident report and snow condition details are central.
Had an accident?
The sooner we secure the evidence, the better we can enforce your claim. Call us directly or send an email, callback within one business day.
Contact
A direct line to the firm.
Address
BRANDAUER Rechtsanwälte GmbH Giselakai 51 5020 Salzburg
Phone
+43 660 2407152