Florida Parasailing Accident Attorneys
Parasailing is a fun activity for the entire family. It’s also a big industry: dozens of companies offer parasailing in Florida, and hundreds operate throughout the United States.
But parasailing isn’t without risk. Parasailing accidents across the U.S. happen every year, causing significant injuries and even fatalities.
Why Would I Need a Florida Parasailing Accident Lawyer?
If you have been seriously injured or have a loved one that was killed in a parasailing-related accident, you need experienced and skilled legal advice. The Florida parasailing accident attorneys at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt have years of experience handling difficult and significant parasailing negligence cases.
Not only do we handle parasailing accident cases in Florida, but we also take on cases all over the country. We know what it takes to successfully fight for our clients’ rights to receive full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation so you can get our questions answered honestly and get peace of mind.
What Is Parasailing?
Parasailing has been around for decades. It initially started as a way to train astronauts in the 1960s. Now, it’s a major industry in Florida and a popular recreational activity, especially for tourists.
How does parasailing work? A rider is hooked to an open parachute canopy with a harness and seat. This harness is attached to the back of a boat by a towline.
As the boat moves forward, a winch slowly doles out the towline, and the parasail flies up in the air. The riders swoop up to several hundred feet in the air and float there until the towline is winched back onto the boat. The rides last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.
With several hundred commercial parasailing operations in the United States, it’s estimated that almost four million people enjoy the recreational sport every year.
Common Causes of Parasailing Accidents
Unfortunately, there are several ways that a parasailing excursion could go wrong and people could be injured. Below are some common ways that parasailing accidents happen:
Towline Failure
Some parasailing accidents are caused by issues with the towline that pulls the parasail through the air.
Towlines can get tangled, dropping the parasail into the ocean. They can also break, sending the parasail floating uncontrollably through the air and putting the riders at risk. Towlines can weaken due to normal wear and tear, bad weather, and knotting.
Boating Accidents
If the parasail tow boat crashes into something, the parasailer could be injured. The crash could drop them into the ocean or break the towline.
Mechanical Issues
Some mechanical issues that could cause a parasailing accident include the following:
- Tow winch failure
- Boat malfunction or breakdown
- Harness failure
- Parasail failure
Any mechanical issue could put the parasail riders in danger.
Boating Piloting Errors
Mistakes by the boat crew can put riders in jeopardy. The boats that parasailing companies use are high-powered machines. An inexperienced pilot might navigate the sea incorrectly, be inattentive, or go too fast or too slow.
Dangerous Weather
Weather can be a major issue for parasailers. High wind speeds can cause the parasail to collapse.
The weather can change very quickly on the ocean. If the parasail operator fails to notice a dangerous change in weather, it could put the parasail riders in danger.
Get Compensation for Your Parasailing Injury
If you have been seriously injured due to the negligence of a parasail company and its employees, you are allowed to seek compensation for your injuries.
People can sustain significant injuries in parasailing accidents. These injuries may include broken bones, torn ligaments, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
The compensation you are entitled to after a parasailing accident in Florida might include the following:
- Medical bills
- Compensation for future medical treatment
- Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering for the actual pain the injury caused
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium for the spouse of the injured person
- Wrongful death benefits in cases involving fatalities
The best way to fight for this compensation is to hire a knowledgeable and skilled Florida parasailing accident lawyer. The attorneys at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt have the experience and the resources needed to take on tough cases and win. We know what it takes to successfully fight for the rights of our parasailing accident clients.
If you have experienced a parasailing accident in Florida or any other state, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. Because we are a boutique firm, we give our clients the individual attention they deserve and win big results.
Florida Parasail Regulations
Although there are some laws on the books in Florida that regulate parasailing companies, many experts believe the industry needs more regulations to stop unnecessary accidents, injuries, and even parasailing deaths.
Florida Statutes Section 327.375 specifically addresses the commercial parasailing industry and is designed to set some regulations to control commercial parasailing companies. Below are the major regulations that commercial parasailing companies have to follow:
- Parasailers must wear life jackets at all times
- Two people need to be in the boat at all times
- One person operates the boat while another watches the parasailers
- Parasailing boats cannot parasail near objects, such as piers
- Commercial parasailing companies must have liability insurance
- Liability insurance must cover at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in total
- A working VHF transceiver must be on the boat
- A separate device to access National Weather Service forecasts must be on the boat at all times
In addition, parasailing is not allowed under the following conditions:
- Nighttime
- Poor weather and heavy winds
- A sustained wind speed of more than 20 miles per hour
- Wind gusts reaching speeds of 15 miles per hour higher than the sustained wind speed
- Wind speed exceeding 25 miles per hour during these gusts
- Visibility of less than half a mile due to weather
- Lightning within seven miles
Suppose any of these regulations are violated, and the violation is a direct cause of the rider’s injuries. In that case, the parasailing company can be held responsible for the injuries and pay out compensation.
FAQs
One way to protect yourself against parasailing accidents is to research and look up the commercial parasailing business you will be using. Find out the answer to the following questions by researching online or contacting local business associations:
- How long has the company been in business?
- Is it a licensed parasailing business?
- Has it been involved in any accidents or injuries in the past?
- What kind of training do employees undergo?
- Does it have the required-by-law liability insurance?
By answering these questions, you will have a better sense of how the parasailing company treats safety concerns.
Most personal injury cases, including parasailing accident cases, are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client pays no money upfront for fees. Your lawyer will only get paid if they are successful at recovering compensation for your injuries.
No. We work on cases throughout the nation. We are well-known throughout the country for our knowledge and skills in successfully representing seriously injured clients.

You Are Not Alone
When people become seriously injured due to someone’s negligence, it can turn their lives upside down. If you or a loved one has experienced a parasailing accident in Florida, you may be feeling anger, stress, anxiety, and fear. But understand that you’re not alone.
The Florida parasailing accident attorneys at Ratzan Weissman & Boldt are here to answer your questions with honesty and compassion. You will have a dedicated legal team investigating your case and leaving no stone unturned.
We will develop the case, obtain evidence, and seek to make sure every person and company that caused this horrific accident is held responsible.
Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. We will be waiting for your call.
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