Personal Injury Claim for Parasailing Accident
About three to five million people go parasailing every year. Thankfully, most parasailing experiences turn out to be a wonderful adventure. Unfortunately, parasail accidents do happen; causing some to question parasailing safety and liability. Parasail accident statistics reveal the risk people take when they agree to be towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while harnessed to a canopy wing that looks like a parachute, known as a parasail wing.
If you or a loved one was injured in a parasailing accident because of the negligence of a parasail operator, seek the help of a personal injury lawyer right away. A wrongful death action may be appropriate if you lost a loved one in the accident. An accident attorney can discuss your legal rights and options.
Common causes of parasail accidents
Like other adventure sports such as cliff diving, parasailing can be dangerous. The Parasail Safety Council (PSC) collects data on the most common causes of parasail accidents and identifies the following circumstances:
- Tow line separating from the boat
- Equipment failure including improperly secured harness
- High speed water and deck landings from high winds or faulty equipment
- A damaged or failed canopy/parachute
Parasailing accident statistics
Data from the Parasail Safety Council shows that more than 70 people have been killed and at least 1,800 injured in parasailing accidents between 1982 and 2012. There was a much lower incidence of accidents requiring hospitalization for those riding on gondola style seats compared to those who were harnessed (two versus 520). At least 95 percent of all parasail fatalities are because the parasail rider is unable to escape/evacuate from a harness passenger support system during an unplanned water landing in high winds.
Parasail operators owe a duty of care to their clients
When people sign up to parasail, they are putting their safety in the hands of the parasailing operator and the equipment they are using. Like all recreational and adventure businesses, parasail operators owe a duty of care to their clients, which means that they must provide a reasonably safe experience for their clients in accordance with industry standards.
When a parasail company breaches their duty of care and a client is injured or killed as a result, they may be vulnerable to a personal injury claim. Breach of duty of care is the first element a plaintiff must establish in order to proceed with an action in negligence. The defendant may be subject to liability and damages if negligence can be proved.
Personal injury cases are complicated and almost always require the help of a personal injury attorney who can discuss your legal rights, establish the value of your claim and build a case on your behalf.
Seek the help of a personal injury attorney
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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Taro Pharmaceuticals Issues Voluntary Nationwide Product Recall of Lamotrigine Tablets Over Cross Contamination
As reported on FDA.gov: on January 10, 2020, Taro Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. issued a voluntary product recall of one lot of Lamotrigine 100 mg Tablets (Lot # 331771 with expiration date June 2021 in 100 count bottles, NDC 51672-4131-1 to the consumer level). The lot is being recalled because it was found to have been cross-contaminated with a small amount of another drug substance called Enalapril Maleate, that is used to manufacture another pharmaceutical at the same facility. Read the full press release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200110005522/en/External Link Disclaimer
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Reduce Bicycle Accidents: New WA State Bike Rules Require Motor Vehicles to Give Cyclists 3 Feet of Space When Passing
As reported by komonews.com, new rules for bicycle safety went into effect in Washington State on January 1, 2020. The new rules were approved by Washington State lawmakers in May, 2019.
New WA State bike rules go into effect to reduce bicycle accidents
There are three components to the rule change:
- Drivers now have to give bicycle riders at least three feet of space when passing. The old rule asked drivers to pass cyclists at a “safe distance” but did not specify the distance.
- Drivers must move to the left lane (if there are two or more lanes of traffic) or into the opposing lane (if there is a single lane of traffic) to pass bicyclists on the road.
- If there is only one lane of traffic in each direction, drivers must slow down and allow at least three feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle.
Washington fatal pedestrian and bicycle accidents doubled between 2013-2017
The new rules make sense in light of the fact that fatal pedestrian and bicycle accidents have been increasing. With so many more cyclists on the road, governments are looking for ways to increase bike safety and reduce car versus bicycle accidents.
Released in March 2018, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Active Transportation Annual Safety Report shows that Washington pedestrian and bicycle deaths doubled over four years between 2013 and 2017 with 60 deaths in 2013 and 122 in 2017 (pedestrians shouldered most of the increase in fatalities). Pedestrian and bicycle accident injuries increased by 31 percent during these years, from 351 in 2013 to 461 in 2017.
Pedestrian and bicycle accident statistics from the report:
- 85 percent of the “active transportation” crashes happened on highways (most of them major or minor arterials) with speed limits of 30 mph or higher.
- More than 59 percent of crashes happened in areas with poverty rates higher than the state average even though they represent 43 percent of the population.
- Cyclists riding on the road accounted for more than half of these fatal and serious injury crashes which caused researchers to point out the need for better transportation networks for cyclists and pedestrians.
Bicycle accidents involving a car
If you have been injured in an accident with a car, it is vital to report the accident to the police, file a police report immediately and to seek prompt medical treatment. Document and preserve the evidence from the scene of the accident if you are able and keep receipts and transcripts from all resulting medical care. You should also notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible but do not speak to the at-fault insurance agency or accept a settlement without first speaking with a bike accident attorney.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced wrongful death attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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Hard-Boiled Egg Recall Linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak
As reported by CBSNews.com, hard-boiled eggs and egg salads linked to a deadly listeria outbreak have been recalled from major food retailers including Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Walmart, Costco and ShopRite. National brands affected by the recall include Eggland’s Best, Pete & Gerry’s, Rainbow Farms and Vital Farms. Food manufacturers including Great American Deli have recalled products sold to convenience stores and vending machines in 21 states across the south and mid-west.
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Prevent a Runner Killed in Car Accident Tragedy with Cold Weather Running Safety Tips
Serious runners run all year; even when it gets cold, dark and wet outside. Unfortunately, poor weather increases the already high chances that a driver won’t see a runner until it’s too late. Runner killed in car accident statistics are not tracked specifically but we know that pedestrian fatalities remain high. Data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) shows that there were 6,283 pedestrian deaths in 2018 alone; the highest number since 1990.
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Fresh Express Salad Kit Recalled Over Fears of E. Coli Contamination
According to the FDA, eight people have been sickened and three have been hospitalized after eating a Fresh Express salad kit possibly tainted with E. coli. This strain of E. coli (0157:H7) is different from the E. coli outbreak tied to romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas, California region. Federal officials say that it’s possible that the kits contained romaine lettuce from the Salina area but as of now, they have not identified a particular ingredient in the mix that is contaminated with the bacteria. The illnesses were reported from three states: Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota.
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Who’s At Fault in Car-Runner Collisions?
There are many reasons that runners run on roads or sidewalks, rather than on trails. Women may not feel safe running on secluded trails for one and two, even people who run on trails often end up having to cross streets or complete part of their run on a sidewalk, parking lot or roadway. There are safety risks for runners whenever they run alongside motor vehicle traffic. Most runners have at least one story about almost being hit by a driver who didn’t see them, and many have actually been hit by a driver. The tragic reality is that a runner doesn’t stand much of a chance against a motor vehicle; car-runner collisions usually end very badly for the runner.
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Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning: Personal Injury
In the Pacific Northwest, shellfish are considered a local delicacy and they’re served at high-end restaurants throughout the year. Restaurants and seafood stores owe a duty of care to their clients to serve and sell healthy shellfish that won’t make people sick. Unfortunately, the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is real in Washington State. According to the Washington State Department of Health, people can get PSP from eating shellfish contaminated with a toxin from the phytoplankton Alexandrium catenella. The biotoxin affects the nervous system and paralyzes muscles. If shellfish with high levels of PSP are ingested, they can cause grave illness and even death. Part of what makes shellfish contaminated with PSP so dangerous is that you cannot kill the biotoxin by cooking or freezing them.
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CDC Announces Romaine Lettuce Recall
On November 22, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), public health and regulatory officials in several states including The Maryland Department of Health, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections across 16 states connected to romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region. This outbreak is caused by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 that caused outbreaks linked to leafy greens in 2017 and to romaine lettuce in 2018.
The lettuce was sold under many different brand names and has “Use By” dates ranging from October 29, 2019, to November 1, 2019. They have establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. All types of romaine lettuce are included in the recall including precut lettuce and salad mixes that have romaine such as spring mix and Caesar salad kits, baby romaine, hearts of romaine and whole heads of romaine.
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Reminder to Fully Cook Ground Beef after Salmonella Kills One and Hospitalizes Eight Others
According to a statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, November 1, there have been 10 reported cases of Salmonella Dublin poisoning linked to ground beef across six states between August 8 and September 22. Victims range in age between 48 and 74 and 80 percent are male. While Salmonella Dublin infections are common among cattle, it does rarely infect people and cause infections in the bloodstream. One person has died, one was sickened and eight others have been hospitalized, giving this outbreak a hospitalization rate of 89 percent. According to Medscape.com, the normal rate of hospitalization for Salmonella poisoning is 20 percent, making this outbreak an outlier.
No recall has been issued at this time because no single, common supplier has been identified: the victims were sickened by beef sold under different brands bought at different locations. The CDC is not recommending that consumers return ground beef but is reminding the public not to consume raw or undercooked ground beef. In addition, consumers should store and handle ground beef according to food safety guidelines and cook it to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill any germs that might have been present. Use a food thermometer in a couple of spots to ensure meat has reached a safe temperature.
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include:
- Fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
A healthy adult is usually sick for four to seven days. The CDC warns that infants, children, seniors and anyone with a weakened immune system is at greatest risk for a serious illness, sometime life-threatening.
It is possible for someone to be infected with the bacteria but to not get sick or show any symptoms, unknowingly spreading the infection to others.
Contaminated food personal injury case
The federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the United States every year. When a person is seriously injured by contaminated food because of the negligence of another, they may be able to recover damages with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
In order to recover damages, the plaintiff and his or her personal injury attorney must show that injuries were caused by the contaminated food by providing medical records and calling expert witnesses, that the injuries caused damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages and medical bills and that the defendant is legally liable for the accident because of their negligence.
A personal injury attorney is best equipped to determine who the defendant is along the supply chain, gather evidence and build a case. They will also be able to assess the value of your claim and fight for the settlement you deserve.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced personal injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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