Parasailing Accidents
Parasailing is a sport where a passenger is dangled up to 350 feet in the air using a parachute and harness that are attached to and towed by a speedboat below. This sport can involve more than one passenger being towed at a time. The driver of the boat determines where the passenger or passengers go and where they land.
Parasailing Statistics
Statistics show that over 1,200 parasailing accidents have taken place over the past three decades; 400 of these accidents have resulted in serious injuries and over 70 have resulted in fatalities. Between the years 1982 and 2012, over 70 people were killed in parasailing accidents and at least 1,600 sustained injuries. The casualty rate of parasailing is estimated to be one per 90,000 rides.
Parasailing Accident Causes
Most Florida parasailing accidents are caused by deploying parachutes in high wind or bad weather. These are often caused by a tow line separation from the tow vessel resulting in a water landing, causing injury or death to the passenger. When the parasailing canopy is separated from its tow line, the canopy can remain inflated by the wind and bad weather conditions placing the passenger at a high risk of harm. Other parasailing accidents are caused by equipment failure, high speed water and deck landings, line popping, whiplash, canopy rotation, operator error or inexperience and poorly run or maintained parasailing operations.
Who is at Fault?
Some parasailing accidents are not directly someone’s fault. Still, others are the result of negligence, equipment failure, or even greed. If the accident is the result of the negligence of another, you are entitled to compensation.
Know Your Rights
Whether you or a loved one has been harmed because of the negligence or carelessness of another, our attorneys will help you understand your rights and help you get compensation for injuries. Kaire & Heffernan, LLC understand how parasailing equipment should be maintained and how parasailing operations should be run. Mark and David can help you better understand the cause, responsibility, and possible compensation for your parasailing accident. Contact us today if you have questions.
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