Second Lawsuit Filed in Parasailing Accident that Killed 33-Year-Old Woman

The husband of an Illinois woman who was killed in a parasailing accident has filed a lawsuit against a resort in the Florida Keys as well as other parties. According to the lawsuit, the woman was parasailing with her son and nephew when the parasail was “pegged”, meaning the wind took over control of the parasail. The captain attempted to cut the line but ended up dragging the woman and children for at least 10 minutes until they finally struck a bridge. The woman was killed in the accident. The children suffered minor physical injuries, but they are still recovering from the emotional pain of having lost their loved one.

The family had previously filed a lawsuit against the parasailing company. The new complaint names both the resort and the captain of the boat. The family is calling for mandatory training and regulation of the parasailing industry to prevent such an accident from ever occurring again.

How common are parasailing accidents? 

Parasailing accidents occur infrequently. But when they do occur, they can be devastating. In the case mentioned above, a woman was killed. An estimated 3 to 5 million people go parasailing each year. Over the past 30 years, there have been 1800 injuries or deaths related to parasailing. So, we’re not talking about a routine occurrence.

Why do parasailing accidents occur? 

Parasailing accidents occur due to a number of reasons. Since parasailing is generally safe, these reasons tend to indicate that some form of negligence occurred on the part of the company offering parasailing as a recreational activity. These include:

• Collisions with boats or stationary objects – In the case mentioned above, the victim was dragged several hundred feet after the parasail had deflated. Eventually, she struck a bridge and was killed instantly. Others have been injured after striking boats. Even a collision with the water can be devastating.

• Harness failure – When harness failure occurs, a parasailer may be dropped from a great height. Parasailers can be injured even if they fall back into the water.

• A weak towline – If the towline snaps, parasailers can be carried by the wind away from the boat. In some cases, parasailers strike boats, trees, bridges, or buildings.

• Weather conditions – In the case mentioned above, the parasail was “pegged” meaning the wind took over the parasail. Those who operate parasail excursions are cautioned against parasailing during strong winds or in storms.

In addition to those issues, there are several mistakes that a boat captain can make that increase the risk to parasailers. These include failing to inspect safety equipment prior to parasailing, flying in dangerous weather conditions, allowing the parasailers to fly above the recommended maximum elevation, and parasailing too close to the shoreline.

Talk to a Tampa, FL Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

The Matassini Law Firm represents the interests of plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits involving boating or parasailing accidents. Call our Tampa personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and we can begin discussing your allegations immediately.

Source:

cbsnews.com/chicago/news/parasailing-death-lawsuit-supraja-alaparthi-florida/