San Mateo, CA (Wednesday, July 17, 2002) - In a highly unusual decision issued on July 12, 2002, Judge Paul Alvarado of San Francisco Superior Court awarded an additional $5.2 million to paralyzed snowboarder Charlene Vine, in addition to the $4.4 million previously awarded by the jury. Vine had filed suit against the Bear Valley Ski Company as a result of injuries suffered in April 2000 at an end-of-season employees' party on a snowboard jump constructed for use at the party.

Vine alleged in the suit that the takeoff angle on the temporary snowboard jump was too steep and the landing area, which normally runs downhill to dissipate the energy of the landing, actually ran uphill, increasing the force of the impact on landing. Vine landed flat on her back and was left paralyzed from the waist down.

The jury awarded Vine $713,000 for pain and suffering, also known as non-economic damages. Vine's attorneys moved for a new trial on the grounds that the $713,000 award for pain and suffering was inadequate. Judge Alvarado stated in his July 12 order granting the motion that, "$713,000 is clearly inadequate in light of the catastrophic injury suffered by the plaintiff."

Judge Alvarado increased the award by an additional $5,287,000.

"We are extremely gratified," comments Gary L. Simms, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiff, "that the judge recognized the extreme and lifelong consequences of the devastating injury to Charlene Vine."