What should be a fun summer vacation activity can quickly turn into tragedy when acts of negligence make it drastically unsafe to be in the air. Parasailing is a popular tourist attraction and activity in Fort Lauderdale, but it’s not always the safest adventure. Lack of operator training, faulty tow and harness equipment, and failure to take precautions in poor weather can all lead to deadly parasailing accidents. After this nightmare, injured victims need a rock on which to stand on. The Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik are here to help those with traumatic parasailing injuries understand their options. Our Fort Lauderdale parasailing accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience to answer all your questions and concerns.
The Dangers of Parasailing
Most people assume parasailing is safe. Thousands of people do it every year, and companies advertise it as a family-friendly way to spend a day on vacation. What many people don’t realize is that the federal government doesn’t regulate parasailing. This significantly lowers the safety of the activity. Private parasailing companies have the freedom to gauge the safety of equipment and operation according to their own standards. These standards are often too low to guarantee the security and wellbeing of parasailers.
Parasailing chutes can snap away from towlines due to faulty equipment and lack of proper maintenance. This dangerous situation can also occur when there are incompetent or poorly trained operators in charge of the venture. Negligent employees may take parasailers out when weather conditions aren’t safe for the activity or use subpar equipment – risking lives all in the name of making a profit. After any type of injury from a parasailing trip in Fort Lauderdale, talk to an attorney. There are many forms of negligence that may have contributed to your accident.
Find a Fort Lauderdale Parasailing Accidents Lawyer Near Me
(954) 476-1000Experienced Parasailing Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale
Debi Chalik represented a client in one of the most infamous parasailing accident cases in Florida – the 2013 accident involving two teenage girls. Chalik’s client, Alexis Fairchild, sustained permanent brain injuries from the incident. In this case, the towrope attaching the parasail to the boat snapped in strong storm winds. The parasail took off over land and slammed the victims into a building and parked cars before finally coming to a stop.
Defendants in this case included the parasailing company (Aquatic Adventures), Treasure Island Resort Rentals, and the towrope manufacturer, among others. The landmark lawsuit resulted in successful settlements for both girls, as well as pushes for improvements in parasailing safety standards in Florida. Proper care and due diligence by the companies involved could have prevented Fairchild’s injuries. Instead, she will live the rest of her life with chronic pain and effects of a traumatic brain injury.
Parasailing remains an unregulated activity in Fort Lauderdale. It therefore poses a high risk of serious accidents and injuries. The 2013 case is by no means an isolated incident. Regrettably, the incident did not result in as many changes to parasail safety as are still necessary. If you recently suffered injuries or a loved one died in a South Florida parasailing accident, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling these types of complicated cases. Call the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik for a free consultation today.
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