Utah transplant surgeon dies in ski accident

[MaxPower]

These sad stories are fortunately few and far between, which is probably why we remember them. My former practice manager retired at the end of 2021. Her husband died 4 days later. I’m sure that’s not the retirement either of them had dreamed of. To me, these kinds of stories remind me to enjoy the present, but not at the expense of sacrificing my future, or the future of my wife and kids.

I have a savings goal each year, and when I’m on track to hit that I don’t obsess about the other stuff. I’m not in the extreme MMM savings category, but I usually hit between 25-30% pre-tax into retirement savings. We’ve definitely expanded our lifestyle in the last year or so—country club membership, several big vacations, etc. Definitely have to do all things in moderation.

[Tim]

It is actually highly unlikely there was life insurance which will apply... the vast majority will not cover extreme sports, and many that will are almost unaffordable. Just like a DUI crash or other things, the basic blanket group insurance policy from the hospital will exclude people who do those activities. Also, it will have clauses where the group plan can be voided or greatly reduced due to an individual's dangerous outlier activity leading to demise and the insured person or group having signed that they do not do these things or won't get a payout if the fatal activities were illegal or outlier risks.

In a high number of these cases, any life insurance payout is voided by one means or another (or at least it could be... since the person lied in their policy papers to quality or reduce their premiums, and signed that they didn't do the high risk activities, substances, etc that are exactly what lead to death). There is a very high probability that if this guy had a family, they will be on gofundme and not getting significant indemnity from any life insurance the departed held on himself.

I see a ton of these cases and have been pressured occasionally by families in the ICU to omit details of the activity which caused the death (intoxicated, on drugs, extreme hazard activity, suicide vs crime, etc). I play dumb and just document objectively... as if it's not in the ER and paramedic reports anyways. What is actually a lot more common is that a small fraction of the policy amount is given... basically just as a PR move by the insurer to avoid public shaming for shafting the widow/widower (even if they could have paid zero, it is worth it for them to maybe give 100k instead of 1M policy to avoid bad headlines). They have to sign NDA to get the token payments (often in installments).

This is stuff the gleeful insurance salesmen won't exactly offer up front when they are trying to score a commission, lol.

https://www.lifeinsurance.org/blog/c...nce-exclusions

Skiing Is not considered a life threatening event.
As far as the disclosures, misrepresention and negligence is a different issue. Unless it was under the suicide clause. A policy would be paid, but by who would be the question. Even a beginner would be paid out. Insurance company or the resort under negligence. That would be insurance company vs resort. Not the individual.
This situation was not an extreme sport subject to disclosure.

[spiritrider]

The article stated he went off on an expert only terrain. It did not indicate whether he was an expert skier or had any knowledge of the terrain.

Any payout from the Dr,'s insurance and/or the resort's insurance could hinge on any contributory negligence of the parties.

[doctorbone]

I’m sure WCI would know the answer. He does a lot of extreme outdoor activities.

[AR]

What is your source for this info, I believe it is incorrect.

Insurers ask about certain activities when you apply, and for example exclude suicide the first two years. But if you are not a pilot, and then buy life insurance, and then years later become a pilot and die in an accident, you're saying they won't pay?

I'm with FIREshrink on this one. I guess I could imagine flying a plane being in there, I can't imagine "extreme skiiing" being in there as far as something you couldn't do in the future.

Also, group policies tend to not exclude much of anything in their polices. But normally they're quite low, which is why they can afford to be so liberal.

[uksho]

I think my life insurance has exclusions eg, flying a plane , war , suicide , can’t remember exactly but also dying while being involved in anti-law activities

Don’t remember skiing being mentioned .

[FIREshrink]

It is actually highly unlikely there was life insurance which will apply... the vast majority will not cover extreme sports, and many that will are almost unaffordable. Just like a DUI crash or other things, the basic blanket group insurance policy from the hospital will exclude people who do those activities. Also, it will have clauses where the group plan can be voided or greatly reduced due to an individual's dangerous outlier activity leading to demise and the insured person or group having signed that they do not do these things or won't get a payout if the fatal activities were illegal or outlier risks.

In a high number of these cases, any life insurance payout is voided by one means or another (or at least it could be... since the person lied in their policy papers to quality or reduce their premiums, and signed that they didn't do the high risk activities, substances, etc that are exactly what lead to death). There is a very high probability that if this guy had a family, they will be on gofundme and not getting significant indemnity from any life insurance the departed held on himself.

I see a ton of these cases and have been pressured occasionally by families in the ICU to omit details of the activity which caused the death (intoxicated, on drugs, extreme hazard activity, suicide vs crime, etc). I play dumb and just document objectively... as if it's not in the ER and paramedic reports anyways. What is actually a lot more common is that a small fraction of the policy amount is given... basically just as a PR move by the insurer to avoid public shaming for shafting the widow/widower (even if they could have paid zero, it is worth it for them to maybe give 100k instead of 1M policy to avoid bad headlines). They have to sign NDA to get the token payments (often in installments).

This is stuff the gleeful insurance salesmen won't exactly offer up front when they are trying to score a commission, lol.

What is your source for this info, I believe it is incorrect.

Insurers ask about certain activities when you apply, and for example exclude suicide the first two years. But if you are not a pilot, and then buy life insurance, and then years later become a pilot and die in an accident, you're saying they won't pay?

[Max Power]

I really hope he had enough life insurance. It’s a real tragedy but it’ll be even harder for his family financially.

It is actually highly unlikely there was life insurance which will apply... the vast majority will not cover extreme sports, and many that will are almost unaffordable. Just like a DUI crash or other things, the basic blanket group insurance policy from the hospital will exclude people who do those activities. Also, it will have clauses where the group plan can be voided or greatly reduced due to an individual's dangerous outlier activity leading to demise and the insured person or group having signed that they do not do these things or won't get a payout if the fatal activities were illegal or outlier risks.

In a high number of these cases, any life insurance payout is voided by one means or another (or at least it could be... since the person lied in their policy papers to quality or reduce their premiums, and signed that they didn't do the high risk activities, substances, etc that are exactly what lead to death). There is a very high probability that if this guy had a family, they will be on gofundme and not getting significant indemnity from any life insurance the departed held on himself.

I see a ton of these cases and have been pressured occasionally by families in the ICU to omit details of the activity which caused the death (intoxicated, on drugs, extreme hazard activity, suicide vs crime, etc). I play dumb and just document objectively... as if it's not in the ER and paramedic reports anyways. What is actually a lot more common is that a small fraction of the policy amount is given... basically just as a PR move by the insurer to avoid public shaming for shafting the widow/widower (even if they could have paid zero, it is worth it for them to maybe give 100k instead of 1M policy to avoid bad headlines). They have to sign NDA to get the token payments (often in installments).

This is stuff the gleeful insurance salesmen won't exactly offer up front when they are trying to score a commission, lol.

[doctorbone]

I really hope he had enough life insurance. It’s a real tragedy but it’ll be even harder for his family financially.

[Max Power]

Very sad, but I don't understand what's wrong with people who have to push the limits and extremes to try what 90-99% plus of the people doing those hobbies don't. Skiing and motorcycles are definitely the two everyman hobbies that can easily land you with major injuries or death.

I ride a motorcycle a bit... in rural areas with very little traffic... at reasonable speeds.... on clear days... with full protective gear. Still, trauma surgeon should know better, and I will likely give it up by age 60 if not sooner. Everyone should know better. I could always hit sand or get T-boned by a texting driver or whatever, and I'd feel a bit dumb if I even wreck a bike or get a separated shoulder or something.

The full blown X-games type stuff and high class rapids kayaking, going out in far wilderness camping with no comm/backup, racing cars or bikes 150-200mph on tracks, pushing the limits of private pilot skill, etc is deliberately taking your life in your own hands. Even powerlifting and maxing out regularly is asking for ortho and back problems. I just can't feel very sorry for those folks. I think that the moral of the story is that you can go 70th or 80th percentile on your hobbies and still have plenty of fun.

38? My goodness was just getting started. Sad.

True, but transplant surgeons are also usually done by 50 or so (maybe a few more emeritus years if they have fellows to do the key micro/dexterity work, which most of those hospitals will).

[Kamban]

Two famous skiing accidents

Vanessa Redgrave's daughter Natasha Richardson -died

Michael Schumacher - He was in a coma for a long time. Not sure what his condition is now.

[Zaphod]

38? My goodness was just getting started. Sad.

[Tim]

This is all so sad. Life is truly ephemeral.
we lost renowned physician in my large metropolitan city last week. He died suddenly. Young guy.

another reason why I told my spouse that once we reach FI, I’m out.

The leading cause of death ages 1-44 is accidents and violence. Accidents just finds it’s victims. Probably better odds if you keep working.
You can’t live in fear (obviously). But you can be careful and live each day you get to the fullest.
Bave a great week.

[doctorbone]

A local neurosurgeon few years ago died in a skiing accident. I believe he was in his early 40’s. Truly sad

[WorkforFIRE]

This is all so sad. Life is truly ephemeral.
we lost renowned physician in my large metropolitan city last week. He died suddenly. Young guy.

another reason why I told my spouse that once we reach FI, I’m out.