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Negligent Security Seminar | March 2015

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    Parasailing Dangers and Safety Tips

    It seems that Florida is the scene of another parasailing accident nearly every year. Anyone considering parasailing needs to be aware that it is virtually unregulated. Learn about the potential dangers and tragedies that some individuals have experienced while parasailing.

    The Parasail Safety Council estimates there were more than 384 parasailing accidents across the United States from 1980 through 2009, 83 resulting in serious injuries and 28 in death.

    On August 18, 2007, 15-year-old Amber White and her 17-year-old sister Crystal decided to experience their first parasailing ride while on vacation at Pompano Beach, Florida. Despite National Weather Service warnings about high winds and high seas, the parasailing company still took them up over the Atlantic Ocean. The girls were more than 500 feet in the air when winds pulled them toward the beach. The line snapped, catapulting the sisters onto the rooftop of a nearby hotel. Amber died, and Crystal experienced significant head trauma.

    Attorney John Leighton, founding partner of Leighton Panoff Law, represented their mother, Shannon Kraus. They now work together, pushing the Florida Legislature to pass parasailing safety legislation, including the Amber May Act, now known as the White-Miskell Act. Another victim, Elizabeth Miskell, took a side-by-side parasailing ride with her husband during a Florida vacation. Her harness malfunctioned, resulting in her tragically falling 200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

    Loss of control of the towrope results in some of the worst parasailing injuries, catapulting parasailing riders into buildings and other fixed objects. Those landing in water sometimes die, still strapped in their harness.

    Parasailing deaths and injuries continue to increase while Florida’s Legislature seems reluctant to pass safety legislation that would require owners of vessels that engage in commercial parasailing to 1) have liability insurance, 2) establish procedures to check equipment, and 3) avoid parasailing under unsafe conditions.

    The Parasail Safety Council offers parasailing safety tips including:

    • Licensing – Make sure you parasail with a company that is fully licensed with both state and local licensure.
    • Established Operators – Parasail only with established business operators. Ask how long they’ve been in business and other relevant questions.
    • High Winds and Visibility – Never parasail during high winds, rain, fog or an approaching storm.
    • Types of Equipment – Educate yourself on different types of equipment and passenger support devices.

    Learn more about parasailing accidents from Leighton Panoff Law. Mr. Leighton is there for victims of parasailing accidents and their families, while pushing for enactment of parasailing safety regulations.

    Why is parasailing considered dangerous in Florida?

    Parasailing is considered dangerous in Florida largely due to its lack of regulation. Despite being a popular vacation activity, parasailing has minimal oversight, which increases the risk of severe accidents. Equipment failure, operator negligence, and unsafe weather conditions have all contributed to tragic incidents. Florida sees nearly annual parasailing accidents, some resulting in death or catastrophic injury. The unregulated nature of the activity leaves many riders unaware of the dangers until it’s too late.

    What types of injuries occur in parasailing accidents?

    Injuries from parasailing accidents can be catastrophic and often fatal. Common injuries include head trauma, spinal injuries, and drowning. Some riders are hurled into buildings or fixed structures when the towrope snaps or becomes unmanageable, while others have drowned after crashing into the ocean still strapped into their harnesses. These injuries are often compounded by the high altitude from which the fall occurs and the lack of emergency procedures by the operators.

    What happened in the Amber White parasailing tragedy?

    Amber White, a 15-year-old girl, was killed in a parasailing accident in Pompano Beach, Florida in 2007. Along with her sister, she was taken up despite National Weather Service warnings of high winds. The towline snapped, flinging them into the roof of a nearby hotel. Amber died, and her sister suffered severe head injuries. This tragic event led to advocacy efforts by their family and attorney John Leighton to pass stricter parasailing safety laws in Florida.

    What is the White-Miskell Act and why is it important?

    The White-Miskell Act is a Florida law named in honor of Amber White and Elizabeth Miskell, both victims of fatal parasailing accidents. The Act aims to improve safety standards by requiring parasailing operators to avoid unsafe weather conditions, conduct equipment checks, and maintain liability insurance. The law is a direct result of efforts by families and attorneys, including John Leighton, who have worked to hold negligent operators accountable and push for legislative change.

    What causes most parasailing accidents?

    Many parasailing accidents are caused by loss of control over the towrope, which can result in riders being launched into buildings, poles, or crashing into the water at high speeds. Equipment malfunctions, such as faulty harnesses, and operating in poor weather conditions—like high winds or storms—are also significant contributors. The absence of standardized safety checks and operator training exacerbates these risks.

    What safety tips should I follow before parasailing?

    Before parasailing, ensure the operator is fully licensed by both state and local authorities. Choose a well-established business with a reliable track record and ask about their safety protocols. Never parasail in high winds, fog, or approaching storms. Educate yourself on the type of equipment used and how passenger support devices work. Following these safety tips can help reduce the risk of serious injury.

    How can Leighton Panoff Law help victims of parasailing accidents?

    Leighton Panoff Law has a proven history of representing victims of parasailing accidents and their families. Attorney John Leighton played a key role in advocating for parasailing safety reform after representing the family of Amber White. The firm provides skilled legal representation aimed at holding negligent operators accountable and securing compensation for injuries and wrongful deaths resulting from unsafe parasailing practices.

    Article by:

    John Leighton

    A nationally-recognized trial lawyer who handles catastrophic injury and death cases. He manages Leighton Law, P.A. trial lawyers, with offices in Miami and Orlando, Florida. He is President of The National Crime Victim Bar Association, author of the 2-volume textbook,Litigating Premises Security Cases, and past Chairman of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Motor Vehicle, Highway & Premises Liability Section. Having won some of the largest verdicts in Florida history, Mr. Leighton is listed inThe Best Lawyers in America (14 years), “Top Lawyers” in the South Florida Legal Guide (15 years), Top 100 Florida SuperLawyer™ and Florida SuperLawyers (14 years), “Orlando Legal Elite” by Orlando Style magazine, and FloridaTrend magazine “Florida Legal Elite

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