Painter Sues Deer Valley, UT, Over Ski Lift That Allegedly Started Without Warning

Deer Valley’s Big Dutch Peak. | Credit: Deer Valley Resort A painter has sued Deer Valley Resort and its parent company, Alterra Mountain Company, alleging a ski lift started without warning while he was working in an elevated bucket beside the lift line in October 2022. Adrian Abonce filed the complaint in Utah’s Third Judicial District Court in Summit County on October 9, 2026. He also named Moorhouse Coating Inc., the contractor responsible for the painting work. The complaint alleges the incident caused serious injuries, including multiple fractures and a dislocated ankle. The claims have not been established in court. According to the complaint, Deer Valley contracted Moorhouse Coating to paint structures at the resort. Moorhouse then subcontracted the work to Ram Painting LLC, which employed Abonce at the time. Related: How the Deer Valley Historic Expansion Came to Fruition After Decades in the Making The work required painters to use elevated, cherry-picker-style buckets near chairlift lines. The complaint alleges that Deer Valley and Moorhouse understood the lifts were not to operate while painting took place nearby. It says the lifts had remained switched off for approximately three days while the work was underway. On October 11, 2022, Abonce was working in a raised bucket beside a lift line when the adjacent lift allegedly began moving “suddenly, and without warning,” according to the complaint. The lift struck the bucket, jolting Abonce. The filing alleges that an unidentified person activated the lift, but does not name the lift involved or identify who allegedly switched it on. Related: One Dead And One Injured After Chairlift Accident at Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR Abonce alleges that he sustained a displaced trimalleolar fracture, a distal tibia fracture, an ankle ligament injury, a dislocated ankle joint and a closed head injury. The complaint also lists an embolism and thrombosis, infection and inflammation. Abonce claims his injuries are severe and permanent. The lawsuit accuses Alterra, doing business as Deer Valley Resort, and Moorhouse Coating of negligence. It alleges the companies failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the lift from operating while workers were painting nearby. The complaint also brings gross negligence claims against both companies, alleging failures to implement adequate safety procedures and prevent the lift from being activated during the work. Ten unidentified “John Doe” defendants are also named in a negligence claim. Abonce is seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, impaired earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and permanent scarring. He is also seeking interest and court costs. The complaint does not specify a dollar amount. Abonce is represented by Lloyd R. Jones and Jordan Palmer of McMullin Injury Law, based in St. George, Utah. The filing also does not establish whether the defendants have filed responses to the allegations. Alterra told Park Records that it does not comment on active proceedings and SnowBrains has reached out to Deer Valley for comment. Deer Valley employee with ski school student. | Image: Deer Valley Resort Facebook The post Painter Sues Deer Valley, UT, Over Ski Lift That Allegedly Started Without Warning appeared first on SnowBrains.