Woman’s suit blames Aspen store for unsafe bindings

An Aspen woman is suing the Ute Mountaineer, claiming that she suffered a serious injury at Aspen Highlands two years ago as a result of poorly adjusted bindings on skis she rented from the store.

The suit was filed by Snowmass Village attorney Arnold Mordkin on behalf of Jamie Johanna Robertson, 30. It alleges that in late January 2012, employees of the store “negligently, carelessly and recklessly adjusted the bindings” on the rented skis “so as to cause them to fail to appropriately release when plaintiff suffered a fall.”

The Jan. 29, 2012, accident caused injuries to Robertson’s “head, neck, shoulder, back, hip, knees and legs as well as a tearing of her ligaments,” according to the lawsuit. It also caused a fracture in the tibial plateau, the lawsuit says. Such fractures affect the knee joint and its stability and motion.

The injuries required hospitalization, surgeries and treatment, all of which caused her severe, permanent and lasting pain, the suit states.

Robertson was unable to remain at her job as a result of the injuries, according to the suit. The document does not say where she was formerly employed.

The damages for medical, hospital and related health services, as well as loss of past, present and future income, are greater than $15,000, the suit states.

Employees who were working at the store at the time will be named as defendants at a later date, the suit adds.

Bob Wade, owner of Ute Mountaineer, said he obtained a copy of the lawsuit Tuesday afternoon at the Pitkin County Courthouse. He said he did not see it coming and that he needed more time to review it before offering any specific comment.

Mordkin declined comment Tuesday, as well, saying he had yet to serve the suit to the defendant.