Contact Our Tampa Parasailing Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a parasailing accident in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, you may be able to hold the parasailing operator liable for your injuries and other losses. In addition to an investigation by the Coast Guard (offshore) or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (inland), work by our attorneys and investigators may show negligence in operations of the parasailing service and/or maintenance of its equipment.
An initial consultation about your parasailing accident is free of charge, and if our attorneys can pursue a claim for you, we will work on a contingency-fee basis. We get paid for our services only if you recover money. Call Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.A., toll free at 888-711-7920 or fill out our online form to set up a discussion of your accident, injuries and losses.
“Don’t fight the insurance companies alone. Let us put our decades of experience and knowledge to work for you.”
Florida Adopts Parasailing Law in Light Of Catastrophic Accident
In 2014, Florida adopted laws regulating the parasailing industry. The law requires parasailing company operators to adhere to requirements for equipment aboard their boats, be licensed by the Coast Guard, and have liability insurance of at least $1 million. The law also specifies weather conditions, including high wind, lightning, rain and fog, which require parasailing to be suspended. It prohibits parasailing in sustained winds of more than 20 miles per hour, wind gusts of more than 25 miles per hour, when rain or fog diminish visibility, or when there is a lightning storm in the vicinity. Parasail operators must also adhere to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that require operators to notify the FAA of parasail flights and require certain visibility markings on these “kites.” In 2013, the FAA issued altitude limitations to 400 feet for all commercial parasail operations.
Florida’s regulations were spurred in part by a parasailing accident in Panama City in which a 17-year-old girl was killed and a second young woman suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck injuries and facial fractures. This accident occurred when the towline snapped in high winds and the women were carried helplessly by the wind and smashed into a condo before falling into a nearby parking lot. Many parasailing injuries are caused by blunt-force trauma (fractures, internal organ injuries) and/or asphyxiation, including drowning. Common causes include:
- Passenger harness / support and/or towline equipment failure leading to falls
- Hard landings on shore or boat deck
- High-speed water landings
- Hitting other obstacles, such as buildings, bridges, antenna, etc.
Wind gusts or sudden boat acceleration can also cause injurious jerking of the parasail passenger’s neck (whiplash) or a wrenched back. While the impact of a fall in a parasailing accident would seem to be the biggest risk, the Parasail Safety Council says 95 percent of all parasail fatalities occur when a parasail passenger lands in water under high winds and is unable to escape from the harness connecting them to the para-wing. This can result in the canopy and rider(s) being dragged through the water, suffering impact injuries, near-drowning or drowning if they cannot be freed and assisted in time.
Once liability is established, the at-fault party and their insurance companies must compensate victims for their losses. Our attorneys may negotiate a settlement with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. When insurance companies refuse to provide a fair settlement, Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers will pursue a jury trial to help our client obtain justice.
How Can I Afford to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
During an initial consultation, which is free, we will review the specifics of your accident and discuss your legal options. If we determine that we can handle your case, we will represent you on a contingent fee basis. You will not be charged for legal fees or costs unless we obtain compensation for you through a settlement or court award. At that time, the fee for our legal representation will come from a percentage of the final award.
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