The family of an Indiana teenage girl critically injured in a horrific parasailing accident last summer in Panama City, Fla. has filed a negligence lawsuit against the parasailing company, its owner and the hotel that operated the excursions.
On July 1, 2013, 17-year-old Alexis Fairchild of Huntington, Ind., and her friend Sidney Good of Roanoke, Ind., went up in tandem when strong winds snapped their parasail free from its boat below. Witnesses watched in horror as the girls were flung across the shoreline, smashed into a nearby condo rooftop and were dragged into a power line, before plunging into cars parked below.
A video of the accident is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTc-xZTs1xE
“Aquatic Adventures Management Group, which operated Why Knot Parasail, not only ignored the fact that weather conditions had deteriorated, but failed to operate the boat a safe distance from shore,” said attorney Deborah Chalik, partner at The Law Offices of Chalik and Chalik, who filed the suit on behalf of Alexis’ parents Michael and Angelia Fairchild.
Aquatic Adventure’s owner Jeff Jones and Treasure Island Resort Rentals, Inc., also are named defendants. In addition to negligence, the lawsuit includes claims for loss of companionship as well as medical expenses.
Fairchild suffered broken bones in her spine, a serious brain injury and a skull fracture, according to the firm, and “will continue to require medical care for years to come.” This is problematic. “As the medical bills continue to mount, both of Alexis’ parents lost their jobs after the manufacturing plant they worked for in Indiana laid off dozens of employees.”
The parents are seeking unspecified damages of more than $15,000 on behalf of their daughter.
Mark Seiger, an attorney representing Aquatic Adventures, issued the following statement: “The company intends to defend this vigorously, and we’ve been trying to open a line of communication with Miss Fairchild’s attorney.” The company has reportedly been sued at least twice before by people injured during parasail outings with the company, according to court records.
In the wake of the accident, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) launched an investigation.
The accident and that investigation ultimately led to a Florida Senate committee unanimously approving a bill, SB320, that will provide safety guidelines for parasailing companies operating in Florida. Specifically, the bill requires that operators carry $1 million in insurance, have a license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard and have certain equipment on the boat.
Sen. Maria Sachs, the Delray Beach Democrat who sponsored the bill, issued the following statement:.
“We’re tired of these types of injuries that could have been prevented if, in fact, those operators had followed the minimum requirements of not going out when there’s a lightning storm or if there are wind gusts over 20 mph.”
Fairchild testified before the committee as did the mother of Amber White, who died in a 2007 parasailing accident.
Sachs told the media that she had the support of the Parasail Safety Council, FFWCC, and the Water Sports Industry Association.
The Parasail Safety Council, which tracks injuries and deaths nationwide, has reported that more than 70 people have been killed and at least 1,600 injured between 1982 and 2012.
“This lack of oversight means no one is keeping tabs on parasailing operators to make sure ropes that are damaged by sun and saltwater are replaced,” said Chalik who has spent years pushing for reform. “Parasailing should be a fun and safe activity, but parasailing companies that cut corners or disregard the safety of their customers can turn the popular beachside pastime into a dangerous and even deadly trip.”
