Florida Parasailing Accident Lawyer

Holding Negligent Parasail Operators Accountable

At Scolaro Law, we help victims of parasailing accidents and their families take legal action when negligent operators, cruise lines, or excursion companies fail to keep people safe.

Legal Representation for Parasailing accident Victims Across Florida

Parasailing should be unforgettable, in the best way. But when safety checks are skipped, bad weather ignored, or equipment fails, the results can be catastrophic.

Attorney Tom Scolaro has seen firsthand what happens when operators put profit before people and families are left with lifelong injuries or unimaginable loss. If you are a victim of a parasailing accident, Scolaro Law is here to help you find answers and fight for the accountability you deserve.

Types of Parasailing Accident Cases We Handle 

These incidents are often described as “accidents,” but most are entirely preventable. Time and again, they stem from reckless decisions or disregard for basic safety.

Common Factors:

  • Launching in bad weather, including high winds, choppy water, or brewing storms
  • Towline failure from poor maintenance, wear and tear, sun damage, saltwater exposure, or high winds
  • Improper harness rigging or faulty chute canopies
  • Inexperienced or undertrained crew, rushing through safety checks, or inability to operate the boat in a safe manner
  • Boat or winch malfunctions during ascent or retrieval

Every single one of these failures has led to life-altering injuries or death, and every single failure could have and should have been avoided

Is Parasailing Regulated in Florida?

For years, parasailing in Florida lacked regulation, until the 2007 death of 15-year-old Amber May White, a case handled by Tom Scolaro’s firm. Her tragic accident prompted the 2014 passage of the White-Miskell Act (Amber May Law), which introduced essential safety rules for commercial parasailing operations:

  • Liability Insurance: Minimum $1 million policy required.
  • Captain’s License: Operators must hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard license.
  • Weather Monitoring: Vessels must carry a VHF radio and a device for National Weather Service alerts.
  • Mandatory Shutdowns: No operations during:
    • Sustained winds over 20 mph
    • Gusts over 25 mph
    • Visibility under 0.5 miles
    • Lightning within 7 miles

While the law improves safety, attorney Tom Scolaro has criticized its limited scope and lack of enforcement. It fails to require inspections and permits repeat violators to continue operating. Still, it lays the groundwork for holding negligent operators legally accountable.

Give Us A Call

(305) 424-2300

What To Do After a Parasailing Accident

The minutes and hours after a parasailing incident are overwhelming. Here’s what to do to protect yourself or your loved one:

  • Medical Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention as soon as you are back on land
  • Report the accident to local law enforcement and the operator
  • Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the incident, the failed equipment, the bad weather, the water conditions, and gather contact information from any witnesses
  • Do not sign anything: After an incident, do not sign anything the operator tells you to sign. This includes waivers, releases, or reports
  • Call Scolaro Law: This is true in all boating cases, evidence disappears fast. We know to step in quickly to preserve evidence, identify and place every potential at-fault party on notice as soon as possible.
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Our Success in Boating Accident Personal Injury Cases

Highlight Cases

At Scolaro Law, we have successfully handled numerous cases involving parasailing accidents across Florida’s waterways.

View All Case Results

Parasailing Accident

$17 Million

A young man was killed when a parasail ride in Florida went forward despite unsafe weather. The captain’s decision to operate in high winds led to a towline failure and fatal impact. The case resulted in a $17 million judgment for the family.

Weather-related parasailing crash

$2.5 Million

Two passengers were injured when a parasailing trip went wrong due to a combination of poor decision-making and deteriorating weather. The case concluded with a $2.5 million settlement following evidence of operator negligence.

Parasailing Accident

$15 million

A young woman sustained major physical trauma after she slammed into the ocean and was dragged for minutes due to dangerous weather. A $15 million judgment was secured on her behalf after proving the operator’s reckless conduct and disregard for safety protocols.

How We Handle Parasailing Accident Cases

At Scolaro Law, we approach every parasailing accident case with the precision and urgency of a forensic investigation, because these incidents involve preventable failures, hidden liability, and complex maritime factors From the moment we are retained, our parasailing accident lawyers focus on uncovering the facts and preserving critical evidence to position the case for the strongest possible outcome.

In every parasailing case we work with nationally recognized maritime, mechanical, or weather safety experts who assist with the processing of all the evidence:

  • Weather data, radar tracking, and past marine forecasts to determine whether the operator launched during prohibited or unsafe conditions.
  • Maintenance logs, inspection records, and towline documentation.
  • Insurance coverage, Coast Guard licensing, and regulatory compliance to identify violations of state or federal law.
  • Possible equipment failure including harness systems, canopies, winches, and mechanical components with the support of engineers and accident reconstruction specialists.
  • Chain of liability, whether that includes the parasailing company, the captain, the first mate, the excursion vendor, the cruise line, or the manufacturer of defective equipment.
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What Compensation Can You Recover from Your Parasailing Accident?

At Scolaro Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents can take. Our team works aggressively to identify every available source of compensation and ensure that negligent operators are held fully accountable. During a lawsuit, victims of parasailing accidents may be entitled to substantial damages, including:

Economic Losses

  • Emergency medical treatment and surgery
  • Future rehabilitation and therapy
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

Non-Economic Losses

Time is critical after a boating accident. The sooner you involve an attorney, the stronger your case can be.

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress or PTSD
  • Loss of enjoyment of life and Loss of companionship (in wrongful death cases).

Punitive Damages

In rare but egregious cases, such as knowingly launching during unsafe weather, additional damages may be awarded to punish wrongdoing.

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Your Partner in Navigating Complex Parasailing Litigation

Why Clients Choose Scolaro Law

Our team brings deep experience in maritime injury law and a long history of holding parasailing operators accountable. We understand the unique risks involved in parasailing and how quickly lives can be upended when safety is ignored. We fight to make sure victims and their families receive answers, justice, and compensation they are entitled to.

25+ Years of Personal Injury Experience

We have recovered more than $500 million for clients, including complex parasailing cases.

Maritime Law Knowledge

We understand the special rules that apply to incidents on the water, including parasailing, jet ski, boating and cruise excursion injuries.

Relentless Investigation

We move fast to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and hold every responsible party accountable.

Transparent Fee Structure

We handle all parasailing injury cases on a contingency basis. Our clients never pay us anything.

What Our Clients Are Saying

“My family and I are extremely blessed to have had Tom and his team represent us during the most difficult time of our lives.”

Tom’s tireless work ethic was evident, revealed to us through constant communication and updates throughout the lengthy process. Tom handled our case as I would have handled it, if I had his legal expertise, with relentless determination, ferociousness, professionalism and integrity. That being said, his kindness, compassion and transparent genuine dedication to me and my family showed in every interaction. For whomever is reading this, and is considering being represented by him and his team, I will leave you with this, making this decision can and will alter the trajectory of your life. It has for me and my family, I wish you well, choose wisely.

Fran

What Our Clients Are Saying

“Highly Talented, Honest, Compassionate Lawyer”

My wife suffered a serious injury when we were visiting Miami. We hired an injury lawyer who failed to get us a satisfactory settlement after many months. We transferred our case to Tom and his team. Tom, Renaud and the rest of the team care deeply about their clients and go far beyond the client/attorney relationship. Our experience with Tom and Renaud was very satisfactory from the first moment we consulted with Tom. Tom and Renaud always responded quickly and effectively to all our questions. They did a brilliant work investigating and researching evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing for mediation. Tom hired a professional photographer to produce a short documentary video to highlight the amount of pain and suffering which my wife and every member of our family have suffered due to the injury. This video in addition to the many talents of Tom have ensured the satisfactory settlement which we got. Tom helped us to achieve a very satisfactory settlement, which was more than double what our first attorney managed to negotiate. The amount of investigation and research which Tom and Renaud put in our case was unbelievable. The way and strategy that Tom used to negotiated with the insurance company was amazing. Tom is an honest, compassionate, and extremely talented attorney, and above all he is a great negotiator. I would highly recommend him, and his amazing team, to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer. 

O.R.

What Our Clients Are Saying

“I would highly recommend Scolaro Law to anyone that needs someone on their side.”

Tom and his whole team were great. My suit took a long time, and they explained and guided me through every step. They were patient and kind, and made sure it was as easy for me as they possibly could. They didn’t just care about how much of a settlement they could get; they cared about the bottom dollar for Me. They didn’t just work the case; they understood it. Their knowledge of the legal system, what works and what doesn’t, is hard to find. I would highly recommend Scolaro Law to anyone that needs someone on their side.

Maria

What Our Clients Are Saying

“It was truly a pleasure to work with all the team of Scolaro Law.”

From our very first consultation, Thomas Scolaro was knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in my case. Tom and his legal assistant Barbie took the time to explain every step of the legal process, ensuring I fully understood my options and potential outcomes. They were always prompt in responding to any questions or concerns I had, making me feel supported and well-informed throughout. Thomas’s expertise and dedication truly showed in the handling of my case. He fought tirelessly to achieve the best possible result, and thanks to hard work of all Scolaro law team, the outcome exceeded my expectations. It was clear that the team not only knew the law inside and out but also genuinely cared about my well-being. If you’re looking for a professional, compassionate, and highly skilled attorney, I wholeheartedly recommend Thomas Scolaro and I am grateful to have had him by my side.

Nataliia

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Contact Scolaro Law Today

Parasailing accidents are traumatic and complicated. If you were involved in such a terrible incident, you need to speak with a lawyer who understands both the human impact and the legal landscape. At Scolaro Law, we combine compassion, urgency, and courtroom strength to fight for your right to be compensated and hold all responsible parties accountable.

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Common Questions About Parasailing Accident Lawsuits

Yes. In Florida, waivers do not protect parasailing operators from lawsuits involving negligence or illegal conduct. If your injury was caused by unsafe practices, ignored weather warnings, faulty equipment, or unlicensed operation, the waiver may not be enforceable, especially if the operator acted recklessly or broke the law.

Yes. Most parasailing accidents fall under federal maritime law, which generally gives you three years to file a claim. However, if the incident occurred closer to shore, Florida law may apply, with a shorter two-year deadline. The correct time limit depends on where the accident happened and which laws apply, so it’s important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

Possibly. Cruise lines can be held liable if they failed to properly vet the parasailing operator or sold unsafe excursions. We have been successful at holding cruise lines responsible for injuries occurring during shore excursions.