Woman Impaled by Beach Umbrella – Just One of Many Beach Dangers

Silverman, McDonald, & Friedman handles complex injury claims in Seaford, Wilmington, Newark, and throughout Delaware. If you sustained an injury on someone else’s property, contact us to find out if we can help you.

The Washington Post reported an unusual story this July about a 46-year-old woman from Pennsylvania who was impaled by a beach umbrella in a strange accident. The accident occurred in Ocean City, Maryland but could occur at Rehoboth, Dewey beach or any beach. The beach-goer was taken to a nearby hospital.

The freak accident happened around 3:30 pm after someone’s umbrella was lifted by a gust of wind and carried towards her. The sharp part of the umbrella, the part used to plant the umbrella in the sand, struck the woman. Paramedics were able to cut off part of the shaft. A spokeswoman at the beach said that fortunately the victim’s injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Beach patrol officials do inform beachgoers that it is important to firmly plant their umbrellas. Umbrellas shouldn’t be left unattended. According to the Washington Post story, beach umbrella injuries are not as rare as beachgoers might think. One woman died, in 2016, when a beach umbrella hit the woman’s body. Adding to the tragedy, the woman who died was celebrating her wedding anniversary and her birthday. Another beachgoer, a man, lost his eye while visiting Bethany Beach in Delaware. The beach umbrella flew in the wind and struck the man.

Beach officials say that beachgoers should take down their umbrella if it’s a private umbrella. If the beach visitor is renting the umbrella, the visitor should inform the rental operator that they’re no longer using it. Other advice includes tilting the umbrella into the wind and putting the sharp part of the umbrella a good foot and a half to two feet into the sand.

Private owners can be held liable for negligence if they fail to properly secure or watch the beach umbrella. They can be liable if the rent an umbrella but then adjust it after the operator secures it.

Other types of beach accidents

Owners of beach facilities such as residences, restaurants, and stores can be held liable for their negligence. Beach property owners have a duty to take steps to protect paying customers and friends who visit them from slips, falls, and other common dangers.

The public or private owners of the beach may be liable for some of the following types of accidents if they failed to provide proper warnings or failed to take preventive steps:

• Injuries or drownings due to riptides, not having lifeguards, failing to fence in dangerous parts of the beach, or due to other causes
• Allowing dune buggies or all-terrain vehicles to be operated where beach visitors could get hurt
• Failing to fix broken boardwalk boards
• Failing to provide secure railings and ramps
• Numerous other types of careless behavior that puts profit before protecting private-paying consumers and the general public

The attorneys of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman proudly represents clients across Delaware and out-of-state tourists – including people injured in Seaford, Wilmington, and Newark. Our premises liability lawyers provide free consultations and handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Please call 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.