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Parasailing Accident Litigation

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact one of our experienced lawyers at (561) 293-2600 for legal advice and representation.

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Two people parasailing while hoping to avoid parasailing accident litigation.Osborne & Francis

Our Attorneys Hold Negligent Parties Accountable for Parasailing Injuries

Seasoned legal representation offering justice for you and your family

Between three and five million outdoor enthusiasts engage in parasailing each year in the United States, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). And, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that about 33 percent of all parasailing activity in 2013 took place in the Sunshine State. However, despite the potential hazards and the serious nature of parasailing accident injuries, this industry remains lax in regulations, resulting in preventable tragedies. The experienced attorneys at Osborne & Francis Law Firm PLLC understand the anger and frustration experienced by the victims of this inadequate oversight, and we fight aggressively to obtain maximum compensation for you and your loved ones, and to send a message to those responsible.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

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Common parasailing accidents and causes

Parasailing is a dangerous water sport quite popular in Florida. It involves being towed in the air behind a speed boat while you are harnessed into a parasail wing, which is similar to a parachute. While parasailing, you are “flown” in the air, much like a kite. Though exhilarating and thrilling, the inherent dangers are plentiful when safety measures are not carefully observed. Common parasailing hazards include:

  • Faulty equipment
  • Inadequate weather-tracking equipment
  • Operator negligence/error
  • Inclement weather/high winds
  • Colliding with obstacles, such as power lines, antennas, bridges and buildings
  • Hard landing on the boat deck or shore
  • High-speed water landings
  • Becoming entangled in the harness in the water and drowning

Florida parasailing laws

Prior to 2014, parasailing was almost completely unregulated in the state of Florida. This finally changed with the passage of the White-Miskell Act, which took effect October 1, 2014. Though this new parasailing law takes steps in the right direction, it’s still lacking comprehensive safety regulations that would surely prevent many more accidents and injuries. Following are some of the key provisions of the White-Miskell Act:

  • Operators are required to keep a weather log, and they are prohibited to operate during certain weather conditions, such as high wind, rain, fog and lightning.
  • Appropriate weather gear is required for proper weather report monitoring at sea.
  • Operators are required to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.
  • All operators must be licensed by the Coast Guard.
  • Operator adherence to applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations is required, such as FAA notification of parasailing flights, specific visibility markings on the parasails and a 400-foot altitude limitation.

Unfortunately, a leading cause of parasailing accidents is not addressed in this law. Minimum equipment safety standards and regular inspections would go a long way towards decreasing tragedies caused by faulty equipment.

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T. Andrews

“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

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C. Smith

“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

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J. Davis

“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

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E. Holland

Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

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Alfred

Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

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Erica F.

"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

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Contact our attorneys to discuss your parasailing accident injury

If you were harmed, or someone you care about has suffered injury or death as the result of a parasailing accident, please contact Osborne & Francis Law Firm PLLC Our injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you obtain justice and compensation. To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist you, contact us online or call (561) 293-2600 today. We take cases nationally from our offices in Orlando and Boca Raton.

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