Parasailing Accident Lawsuit in 2024 | Claim for Parasailing Accident
If you have lost a loved one or were injured in a parasailing accident through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation you deserve by filing a parasailing accident lawsuit in 2024.
The thrill of being hoisted hundreds of feet in the air is exciting but can also be deadly. Parasailing injuries and deaths are commonly caused by simple equipment failures. Likewise, a lack of regulation and failure to do even basic inspections can lead to devastation.
Parasailing accident statistics
There are 238 commercial parasail concessions in the U.S. and its territories, operating more than 637 commercial parasail tow vessels.
Approximately 3.8 million people enjoy this sport each year. However, no federal regulations have been provided regarding:
- Equipment inspection.
- Parasailing operations.
- Equipment replacement.
- Equipment standards.
There were 130 million estimated total rides in over 30 years. Unfortunately, this has resulted in:
- 1240 minor injuries.
- 58 deaths due to the passenger support system.
- 5 fatalities due to unknown causes.
- 429 serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
- 10 deaths caused by passenger equipment failure.
- Total of 73 fatalities.
Nevertheless, 98% of all parasail fatalities result from the parasailor’s inability to escape from a harness passenger support system following an unplanned water landing in high winds. To prevent future parasail fatalities, it is recommended that the rule 26/44 provision that places restrictions on passenger support systems and canopy size should be included in any new commercial parasailing regulations.
Causes of a parasailing accident
Here are some of the most common causes of parasailing accidents on cruise ship excursions.
Parasailing is largely unregulated:
The industry of parasailing remains unregulated. The in-depth examination of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted into parasailing accident Lawsuit claims found that many could have been mitigated or avoided if only the industry as regulated.
Additionally, there are no federal guidelines or regulations that govern the industry. As a result, parasailing operators are not required to have special training or certifications besides the requirements for operating a vessel that carries passengers for hire.
Routine equipment inspections are not required:
Faulty equipment is one of the most common causes of parasailing accidents resulting in injury or death. There are no requirements for routine equipment inspections. Upon post-accident inspection of parasailing equipment, the NTSB found that in most of the lawsuits against parasailing accidents, the gear was unserviceable or unsafe.
Currently, parasailing operators need only a license to operate a vessel, but no other special license or training is required. Several attempts have been made in the legislature to place further regulations on the industry, but none have been successful.
A small equipment failure can lead to a deadly accident:
Due to the nature of parasailing, even a minor equipment failure can lead to life-threatening accidents. Most parasailing accidents result in serious, catastrophic injuries or fatalities as the people are suspended in the air via a towline at staggering heights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows parasailers to fly up to 500 vertical feet. At this height, wind conditions can quickly change. If the person is attached through a weak towline or one with faulty connectors, even low-level winds can snap it, sending the person plummeting, leading to death. Filing a parasailing accident lawsuit will help you recover the damages suffered by you or claim compensation for the death of your loved one.
Towline failure is the leading cause of injury and death:
The NTSB found that a towline’s strength is reduced by around 50% when bowline knots are used. In addition, when bowline and hitch knots were used together, the line’s strength was reduced to less than 40% of its advertised strength.
Bowlines are a critical component in parasailing and are regularly used. A weakened towline in strong winds is extremely dangerous.
Seeking compensation for your losses
Two common misconceptions often deter injured victims from pursuing those responsible for a parasailing accident. For one, many people assume they cannot take legal action after signing the cruise operator’s waiver or release of liability. Second, some people believe they cannot obtain damages related to a shore excursion from a company separate from the cruise line. However, many exceptions to these points would still allow you to seek compensation.
What type of financial compensation can I recover?
Every parasailing accident and maritime injury case is unique, and the compensation that you are entitled to recover will depend upon:
- The specific facts of your case.
- The injuries suffered.
- The governing law.
For example, if you are an injured crew member who qualifies as a “seaman” under the federal Jones Act, you may have three potential avenues available to collect compensation. These are:
- Filing a lawsuit against your employer for negligence under the Jones Act.
- Suing the owner of the vessel for damages under the doctrine of unseaworthiness.
- Collecting maintenance (lodging and food) and cure (medical expenses) and sick wages against your employer and even the ship itself under an “in rem” claim.
However, if you are a passenger injured while parasailing, the highly knowledgeable parasailing accident lawyers will work to help you recover a wide range of damages, including compensation for past and future medical care, lost past and future income, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering whether emotional, psychological, or physical.
Why choose Ethen Ostroff Law?
A skilled and experienced parasailing injury attorney can advise you on the specific laws that apply to your case, along with obtaining the compensation you may be entitled to for the injuries you sustained while parasailing. Therefore, if you are also injured while parasailing, you may have a claim against the owner of the parasailing company you used for your adventure or even the hotel or cruise liner that permitted a particular parasailing company for its passenger’s adventures.
As cruise liners travel around the world, your case could be especially complicated if it involves multiple state laws or even the laws of other countries. An experienced parasailing accident attorney working with Ethen Ostroff Law can help you navigate the litigation process involving your claim. Our team will help you and your family get the fair parasailing accident settlement amount you deserve.
At Ethen Ostroff Law, we represent individuals and their families who have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in parasailing accidents. Parasailing operators who took passengers out in dangerous weather conditions or failed to ensure that the equipment was safe must be held accountable. We know the advanced strategies to help you win your parasailing accident lawsuit.
What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation.
