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!
