Florida Parasailing Accident Attorneys

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

How Can I Keep from Being a Victim of a Parasailing Accident?

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.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Florida Parasailing Accident Lawyer?

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.

Do You Only Take on Florida Parasailing Accident Cases?

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

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.

What Our Clients Say

As a result of the efforts made by the law firm, it was possible for us to close that chapter in life. It was possible because of all that work that we were able to come to an agreement of a trial and the case was closed, and we received closure on that very sad stage of our life. RWB Client
Mr. Ratzan took on my case and helped me finalize a fair amount of compensation for me and my girls. I can’t thank him enough. He and his firm fought relentlessly to obtain a successful result and they really care about their clients. I was extremely satisfied with his representation for my case. RWB Client
Q: How was the hiring process? A: It was very easy, we had a meeting and since that first meeting he [Stuart] was very accessible, and I had no doubt I was in the right hands, and in the case of my family, I had no doubt about it from the first meeting I had with him. RWB Client
What I liked most was the way in which Stuart embraced us, the way in which he made us feel welcomed and that we were the only clients he had. You just got that feeling, you came to the office or you called him he was never too busy, he was never not available. Every single question he would ask you for your decision, he would want to clarify things, he was constantly back and forth telling you what the next steps were-totally transparent, there was not one decision he made without asking for your opinion. RWB Client
The first takeaway for me was Stuart's need to understand who we were and what my family was about. He actually came to the island [my home] for about three days to visit to get to know who my Son's friends were. He met his Godmother, he went to my Son's school, and we went to the cemetery to see the grave. To me, that was unbelievable, that an attorney would want to be part of who we were to really understand who it was that he was fighting for. RWB Client
I felt that emotional support. I felt like they were saying "Don't worry, we are going to fight, we are going to protect you, we are going to get justice for you". All the emotional part, I felt it, I felt it was very, very humane. RWB Client
One of the things that most impacted me in working with the law firm of Stuart Ratzan was his empathy with my case. I know that as lawyers, they have to understand our case, but it was something very special because they lived through that stage of mine, that process and they were very respectful to me in that stage of pain and everything I was living through, and I could see his human side as a lawyer and as a law firm that they are. RWB Client
What I liked most about working with the law firm of Stuart Ratzan was his professionalism and his working team, excellent people as the human beings they are. I saw the human being in him, not just as a lawyer, but as a human being who felt the pain that I was experiencing at that time. It is one of those things that most impacted my life and for that, I am very grateful. RWB Client
One of the main takeaways from the experience I had from the law firm of Stuart Ratzan, one was his professionalism, and the other part was knowing that it was a difficult case [that] they always did their best to make sure that this case was resolved. They were always very clear about any questions our family had regarding the case. RWB Client
Mr. Ratzan and everyone his firm were kind and understanding about what I was going through. They held my hand through the whole process and really made everything as easy as possible. Stuart Ratzan did not just represent me, he defended me and not just the case. RWB Client
He made me feel that he really cared about me as a person and understood what I went through. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that Stuart Ratzan and his firm gave their all to obtain fair compensation for me. I believe they are the best at what they do. RWB Client
They gave us an explanation and they were very respectful in the way that they treated the manner that I had lost my son and my wife was in very delicate health conditions. They were very respectful in touching on every topic regarding my family, and also the empathy that they had with our case, that I know them and their team of lawyers and their assistants, and they always showed us love, that understanding towards us and our family. RWB Client
During one of the most difficult times in my life, I was fortunate to have found the right attorney to represent me in a negligent automobile accident. Stuart is a kind, patient man, a great listener, and very talented lawyer. He handled my case with the same care and concern like he would if I was a friend. RWB Client
I, and my whole family, feel that we are blessed that RWB represented us during the most tragic time of our lives. They helped facilitate the legal process in a very professional manner. I always felt their support and protection. I have no words as to how satisfied I am not only with their legal services but also with the case results.

Yo, y toda mi familia, nos senitmos muy benedicidos que ésta firma de RWB nos representaron en un tiempo muy trájico en mi vida. Ellos me ayudaron con el proceso legal muy profesionalmente y muy humanamente. Siempre sentí que ellos me apollaban y me protegían y yo quedé muy satisfecho con los servicios legales y los resultados de mi caso.
RWB Client
Ratzan and his firm are patient and explain the process to you as you go along. When I didn’t have a ride to get to the office, they had a driver pick me up. It was so comforting to know that they were taking care of me, taking the burden off my shoulders. RWB Client
I am a witness that they did the impossible to search every detail, every piece of evidence in our case, and we truly felt like it was a great blessing to have them as our lawyers and know that they were fighting for our case. RWB Client
I remember the deposition [where] one of the [defense] lawyers asked me "how much money would satisfy you"? This is really not about money and it wasn't about money for Stuart, I realized that - it was really about justice. This is what the trial afforded us - going through the process and getting justice. RWB Client
What I learned from the case over the period of about 2-3 years that it took, when I felt sometimes that I just wanted to give up and forget about it- there were too many things, what I came to learn is that the process and the extent of the investigations, the research that was done, the experts that were brought in, it gave me a full sense of what really happened with my Son that night. That brings me a lot of comfort, that I got to know exactly what happened and we got justice. RWB Client
Ratzan and his firm are patient and explain the process to you as you go along. When I didn’t have a ride to get to the office, they had a driver pick me up. It was so comforting to know that they were taking care of me, taking the burden off my shoulders. RWB Client
I was extremely satisfied with the offices of RWB. They obtained a successful recovery for my accident. I felt they cared about me and really wanted to help me. They fought for justice to be fair compensation for the negligence I experienced.

Yo quedé muy satisfecho con la representación del bufete de Ratzan. Ellos adquieron un buen resultado para Mi accidente. Yo me sentí que ellos realmente querián aydarme a recibir un monto justo para el Los daños que me occurrieron.
RWB Client
I felt that the law firm of Stuart Ratzan, that they were investing their time in my case because, even though it was quite a complex case, very difficult, and we were battling with very powerful and large companies, they dedicated their time and resources to look for even the smallest detail. They put all their efforts, all their experience as lawyers, to find a way out, to find a way towards justice in our case. RWB Client
At one of the most uncertain times in our lives, we reached out to Ratzan law firm. They helped us uncover the truth and fought for our son so that he could get the care he needed due to medical negligence. Ratzan and Weissman were responsive and attentive to our case and working with them, on behalf of our son, was positive and rewarding. RWB Client
Working with the Stuart Ratzan team, we felt...my wife and I, we were living through a hard time, a dark time in our lives for us, working with the law firm was very...hopeful, and we had faith that our case was going to be solved, that justice was going to be done and we felt very protected, we felt that we were in good hands. RWB Client
I feel very fortunate that my family was able to work with Ratzan Weissman & Boldt as our attorneys during our family’s case. Throughout our case they treated our family with sensitivity, respect and kindness. Going through a malpractice lawsuit can be very emotional on a family, and they always understood and supported us. We never questioned any of the process because we knew they had our family’s very best interest at heart and wanted justice for our son. RWB Client
From my first phone call to that office up until the end of my case, I felt lucky to have such a strong team on my side fighting for justice for me. They truly cared about me as a person. They treated me like family. RWB Client
They are very professional and kept me informed during the entire process. Mr. Ratzan fought to get us justice and fair compensation for my daughter’s case. I was very pleased and happy with the results. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who is looking for representation, and I am grateful that he handled my case. RWB Client
During the worst time in my life, and after losing my son, the Ratzan team embraced me and my family. They actually became my family. I received excellent, professional and warm support from them to which I am very grateful. RWB Client
This healing atmosphere around their office was such an important factor to me because it gave me comfort and confidence in my case, that I was in the right hands. He [Stuart] resolved my case for a fair and just amount that I was very satisfied with. Stuart and his whole firm will always be dear to me. They were the bright light in this entire process. I know I had the best experience possible. RWB Client
Stuart and his firm, and I'm adding his firm - not just Stuart - every single member of his staff treated me and my family, or whoever talked to him on my behalf as if they were just...family. Every single member of his staff - and that has gone on, it didn't just end when the case ended, it still continues, our relationship with the firm. RWB Client
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