Yet Another Parasailing Tragedy in Florida Keys Kills Tourist

The Memorial Day weekend parasailing tragedy involving the death of Supraja Alaparthi, 33, and serious injuries to her nephew Vishant Sadat, 7, bring to light the hazards from negligent operation of this activity.  Ms. Alaparthi and her son and nephew were parasailing in the Florida Keys over the holiday weekend.  When winds picked up, the parasailing boat captain apparently cut the tow line, catapulting the woman and children into the Seven Mile Bridge.  Ms. Alparthi was killed and the 7 year-old child was airlifted to Nicklaus Miami Children’s Hospital.

Parasailing, which is a popular vacation activity, belies hidden dangers which have killed many tourists in Florida and elsewhere.  It requires skill and attention to weather.  All boat captains know that in Florida in the summer the winds can increase quickly and storms roll in.  Parasailing should never take place anywhere near a fixed object like a bridge or other structure.

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In 2014 Florida enacted a statewide parasailing safety law in response to high-profile parasailing tragedies. Florida Statutes Section 327.02, which represents the first law regulating the parasailing industry in the country, was passed and signed after years of work by victims and their advocates.  This law is was the first attempt to reign in the industry and requires minimum standards and liability insurance. Leighton Panoff Law’s John Leighton fiercely advocated for passage of what is now known as the Miskell-White Act after representing the family of Amber May White, who was killed in a parasailing accident off Pompano Beach in 2007. Her sister was also seriously injured in that tragedy.

Since then Mr. Leighton, Max Panoff and the lawyers at Leighton Panoff Law have been widely recognized for representing victims of parasailing accidents in Florida and elsewhere, and continue to fight for improved standards and laws.  Despite the laws, failures by the parasailing operators continue to plague this sport, leaving vacationers injured and dead.