Florida skier files lawsuit against owner of Heavenly Mountain Resort

RENO -- A Florida skier has sued the owner of Heavenly Mountain Resort on Lake Tahoe's south shore, claiming she was seriously injured when an employee on a snowboard crashed into her last year.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Miami-area paramedic Kimberly Bland on Wednesday in Reno federal court, alleges Vail Resorts Inc. is liable for its employee's negligence.

The complaint claims Bland was on the resort's Nevada side trying to decide where to ski next when Heavenly lift operator Daniel Barreno struck her while riding his snowboard last January.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Bland was knocked unconscious and suffered injuries to her head, neck, shoulder and back. The lawsuit seeks at least $350,000 in damages, plus costs.

Vail Resorts spokesman Russ Pecoraro wouldn't comment on pending litigation.