Billings, MT — March 10, 2025, Jeffrey Zinne was fatally injured due to a ski lift accident at around noon at Red Lodge Mountain.
Authorities said they were called to the ski lodge several miles southwest of Billings.
Initial details about the accident say that 37-year-old Jeffrey Zinne was on a Triple Chair ski lift going up the slope. Possibly due to a mechanical issue, reports say, Jeffrey Zinne fell an unspecified distance. Emergency rescue teams were able to transport Zinne to a hospital in Billings, but Zinne’s injuries proved fatal.
No other injuries were reported. Authorities say the cause of the accident is under investigation. No further information is available right now.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
It’s obviously concerning to see possible claims that a mechanical issue led to this accident. With the age of the machinery being brought up in the news, one has to wonder what maintenance was like. This is where legal tools like a Letter of Spoliation can be vital.
Essentially, a Letter of Spoliation is a legal tool which informs someone who may have evidence critical to a case of their obligation to preserve that evidence. This can include maintenance records, emails between workers at the ski slope, potential past complaints about the lifts, correspondence between the lift owner and a business contracted to do repairs and upkeep, etc.
This is just one example of a potential step that could help ensure the full story here is brought to light. While people understandably assume it’s just best to wait for authorities to handle everything, families aren’t always satisfied simply waiting for answers. That’s why it’s important to be aware of other potential legal avenues which can help get them the answers they deserve in a more timely manner.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us