$10.7 Million Awarded To Musselman

SnowWeek
Feb 16,2004
Page 33

A Montana federal judge recently ordered the U.S. Forest Service and a
snowmobiler to pay more than $10.7 million to Brian Musselman, who suffered
permanent injuries in a snowmobile crash in 1996. Musselman is a former racer and part
of the Musselman family that owns International Engineering, which is also known as
Woody's traction and control products. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy ruled that the
Forest Service must pay 40% of the award. The crash happened near West
Yellowstone, Montana. The judge also found another snowmobiler 50% at fault in the
crash. The judge ruled that the Forest Service failed to fix dangerous conditions or warn
snowmobilers that dangers existed. Musselman's family also sued the Montana
Department ofFish, WIldlife and Parks, the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce
and two snowmobilers. The chamber and one snowmobiler settled out of court, while the
suit against the Department ofFish, Wildlife and Parks was dismissed. After the ruling,
the defendants have 60 days to appeal the decision.

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