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    What to Do if You or a Loved One is Injured in a Parasailing Accident

    Offering the thrill of gliding through the air hundreds of feet above the water, parasailing is a popular activity for Florida residents and visitors. Most parasailers return to the ground safely—but when accidents do occur, they can result in death or catastrophic injury. According to the Parasail Safety Council, more than 70 people were killed and at least 1,800 were injured while parasailing between 1982 and 2012. Common causes of accidents include:

    • Tow line separating from the boat, which may cause riders to suffer whiplash and/or crash into surrounding buildings or terrain.
    • Equipment failure, including failure of the harness.
    • Damaged or failed canopy/parachute, which could cause the canopy to begin spinning in the sky, thereby heightening the risk of tow line failure.
    • High winds and/or defective equipment, which could necessitate an emergency water landing or cause the canopy to be pulled back into the boat too quickly—thereby injuring riders.

    Despite the potential for danger, parasailing remains virtually unregulated. While the White-Miskell Act—a 2014 Florida law that Attorney John Leighton helped get enacted—imposed some minimum standards to make parasailing safer, there is still a notable risk of tragic accidents. If you or a loved one is injured while parasailing, here are a few important steps to take:

    • Record as many details about the experience as possible. While parasailing accidents tend to be traumatic and it may be difficult to think clearly, try to make note of factors such as the weather conditions, the condition of the parasailing equipment, comments made by the operators, and anything notable that happened in the moments leading up to the accident. If you decide to pursue a lawsuit, even details that seemed insignificant at the time could be helpful to your case.
    • Speak to witnesses and ask for their contact information.
    • Contact a personal injury attorney with experience in parasailing accidents as soon as possible. As with any other provider of recreational activities, parasail operators owe a duty of care to their customers, which means that they must ensure reasonably safe conditions in accordance with industry standards. When a parasail operator breaches this duty and the breach causes injury to a victim, the victim (or the victim’s family, if the accident resulted in death) may have a negligence or wrongful death claim against the company. It may be possible to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, physical and emotional suffering, and more. However, it’s important to act swiftly—in Florida, the statute of limitations for negligence actions has been reduced from four years to two years from the date of the accident.

    Unsure where to turn after a parasailing accident? At Leighton Panoff Law, our team has recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Florida for victims of parasailing accidents and their families. As vocal advocates of the White-Miskell Act, we are well-versed in the legal requirements for parasail operators and the common causes of incidents. We have handled parasailing and water sports accidents involving serious injuries and death.  Please call us today at 888.988.1774 to schedule a consultation.

    What should I do immediately after a parasailing accident in Florida?

    After a parasailing accident, try to record as many details about the experience as possible. Note weather conditions, the state of the equipment, what the operators said, and anything unusual that occurred before the accident. Speak to witnesses and get their contact information. These details may become crucial if you decide to pursue a lawsuit. Even seemingly minor observations can help establish negligence and strengthen your claim.

    Can I sue a parasail operator if I’m injured during a ride?

    Yes, you may have a negligence claim against the parasail operator if they breached their duty of care and that breach caused your injury. Parasail operators are required to provide reasonably safe conditions for their customers in accordance with industry standards. If their failure to meet these standards results in injury or death, you or your family may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

    What are the most common causes of parasailing accidents?

    Parasailing accidents are often caused by equipment failure, such as a damaged harness or parachute, or a tow line detaching from the boat. High winds can also lead to emergency water landings or cause the canopy to be pulled back into the boat too quickly, injuring riders. These risks are compounded by the fact that parasailing remains largely unregulated, despite efforts like the White-Miskell Act to introduce minimum safety standards.

    How long do I have to file a parasailing injury lawsuit in Florida?

    In Florida, the statute of limitations for negligence actions, including parasailing injury lawsuits, is now just two years from the date of the accident. This is a significant change from the previous four-year window. It’s important to contact an experienced parasailing accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss your opportunity to file a claim and pursue compensation.

    What kind of compensation can parasailing accident victims seek?

    Victims of parasailing accidents may be able to recover damages for a range of losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, physical injuries, and emotional suffering. In cases of fatal accidents, families may also pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation can vary depending on the severity of the injuries and the specific circumstances of the accident, so it’s vital to work with an attorney familiar with parasailing cases.

    Why is parasailing considered a dangerous and under-regulated activity?

    Despite its popularity, parasailing remains virtually unregulated. Accidents often occur due to equipment malfunctions, unpredictable weather, or operator negligence. Although the White-Miskell Act helped establish some minimum safety standards, gaps still exist, making it critical that parasail operators are held accountable when accidents happen. The activity’s high-risk nature and lack of oversight mean that victims often need strong legal representation to secure justice.

    Why should I contact Leighton Panoff Law after a parasailing accident?

    At Leighton Panoff Law, we have handled numerous parasailing and water sports accident cases involving serious injury and death. Our team helped advocate for the White-Miskell Act and is deeply familiar with the legal requirements for parasail operators. We have recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Florida for parasailing accident victims. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you or your family.

    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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