Federal government removed from lawsuit filed by paralyzed snowboarder

The federal government has been removed from a lawsuit filed against it and the 49 Degrees North ski area by a man paralyzed in a snowboarding accident in 2013.

James O’Neel sustained a spinal injury after jumping off a ski jump at 49 Degrees North. He is now a quadriplegic and sued for more than $30 million in damages.

The United States was included in the lawsuit because the ski resort is on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. However, a federal judge ruled this week that the Forest Service’s only role was to issue a special use permit allowing the ski area to operate, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Under that permit the ski area is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the ski jumps, the judge ruled. The lawsuit against 49 Degrees North remains pending.