Parasailing Accidents
According to the Parasail Safety Council (PSC), “more than three to five million people each year enjoy the sport of parasailing many of them for the first time.” Tourists and residents of Florida can go to almost any beach in Florida - getting tanned and wet – and marvel and stare wide-eyed at seeing a parachute in the sky tethered hundreds of feet above a boat: another thrill seeker who does not realize that they should be hoping and praying that the parasailing company who is giving them a ride knows what they’re doing. What Dad and Mom hear from their kids is this: “Hey, I want to try that.” Tragically, what some parents say later is: “I should have known better”.
Many take that calculated risk not knowing that in the State of Florida that has over 120 parasailing companies in operation during the heavy tourist seasons - passing safety laws regulating parasailing has been a fruitless exercise in the State Legislature for the last ten years.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, between 2001 and the end of 2012, 19 parasailing accidents have occurred resulting in 18 injuries and six deaths.
Almost every year, another serious injury or death in the State of Florida occurs galvanizing some legislators, angry citizens, and grieving loved ones to do something. But parasailing operators have lobbied successfully to keep their industry from requiring liability insurance and safety standards that would help minimize injuries and death.
The most recent injury took place in July 2013 when parents of two teenagers from Indiana hired Aquatic Adventures for a parasailing adventure, and ended up slamming into two high rise condominiums in Panama Beach Florida, causing serious injuries/ The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released a statement that winds increased “and several attempts to winch the riders aback onto the vessel failed. The anchor was set to keep the boat from being pulled onto shore. The towline detached and the riders were helpless to control the chute”. The owner of Aquatic Adventures has said that he is praying for the victims to recover. According to an ABC News report, what he didn’t say was that his parasailing company was one of the “biggest opponents” to new State of Florida safety and liability standards for his industry.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you win your case against an operator whose industry has lobbied way too successfully to put your life and limb in danger. Call us for a free consultation. We can help you receive financial compensation and payment of medical bills if you or a loved one has been injured in a parasailing accident. You pay nothing until we win your case.