Paralysed man suing ski company

A businessman who was left paralysed by a skiing accident has launched a High Court action for millions of pounds in compensation.

Graham Anderson, 46, from Crapstone, Devon, was injured on a trip to the French Alps in February 2004.

While skiing off-piste he crashed into a tree and is now tetraplegic.

He is suing the Cambridgeshire-based ski company Snowbizz, alleging breach of duty on their part for allowing the instructor to take him on the run.

'Limited experience'

Mr Anderson, who runs a printing business in Plymouth and attended court in a wheelchair, was coming to the end of a week-long trip to Puy St Vincent with his wife and two sons when the accident happened.

He was skiing off-piste when he "lost control" and sped into a tree at the bottom of a slope.

He lost consciousness and when he came to he realised he could not feel his legs.

Mr Anderson alleges Snowbizz, which is run by Michel and Wendy Lyotier of Maxey, Cambridgeshire, breached its duty by allowing ski instructor Jerome Portejoie to take him on the run, given his level of ability.

He said he only had limited previous skiing experience.

The couple deny liability and are set to argue contributory negligence on the part of Mr Anderson.

M. Portejoie's French solicitors have agreed to make a 100% contribution to any damages awarded against the Lyotiers, if the judge, Mr Justice Foskett, finds they are to blame.

The hearing at London's High Court is expected to last six days.