What Type of Injuries Do Flying Umbrellas Cause?
A loosely fastened canopy can cause injuries of various types, including abrasions, lacerations on the face and arms, cuts, pierced skin from umbrella ribs, neck injury, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), eye socket fracture, blindness from spokes, dental injury, foot and leg fractures, and other broken bones.
Securing an Umbrella
To minimize the potential for accidents related to flying umbrellas, be sure to take the following precautions:
- Tilt the umbrella into the wind’s direction: Angle the umbrella slightly towards the wind so it pushes down the canopy into the ground. Adjust the location on the beach based on the wind’s direction to make it work for guests instead of against them. The management and staff at hotels and resorts should be aware that pool decks are also frequently subject to windy conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of guests.
- Dig into the sand at least 18 inches deep to stabilize the umbrella: Add water to provide a more stable hole for the umbrella.
- Use a sand anchor: While sand anchors come in different variations, it’s best to use a screw-like structure, enabling you to twist the umbrella down to the ground safely. Add some water again to stabilize the umbrella further.
- Use a heavy stand to keep a patio umbrella in place: Consider using sandbags for extra weight and security. Always close the umbrella in high winds and while not in use.
In 2024, a new voluntary safety standard from ASTM International was set for beach umbrellas at hotels and resorts, focusing on those offering beachside amenities. Under safety standard ASTM F3681-24, umbrellas 7.5 feet in diameter used with a compliant anchor must be secured at the bottom of the pole with a resisting force of at least 75 pounds or remain secure in wind speeds up to 30 mph. The standard also addresses minimum requirements for larger umbrella sizes.
Who Is Liable for Injuries?
If a hotel or resort employee sets up the beach umbrellas, the business could be held liable if an employee places the umbrella in an unsafe and grossly negligent manner. For example, a guest at a resort suffered eye injuries when a gust of wind blew an umbrella out of its table and sent it flying towards him. He received $295,000 in damages after suing the resort. In another case, a man suffered back and neck injuries from a flying umbrella while on his honeymoon at a resort/spa. He received $245,000 in a settlement with the resort after the court found the umbrella was not properly secured to withstand a gust of wind. Of this amount, $200,000 in damages were for pain and suffering.
Review Liability Insurance
In addition to reviewing best safety practices with the hotel/resort staff, it’s also essential to make sure the right General Liability and Commercial Umbrella insurance is in place. Distinguished Programs offers hotels and resorts high-limit broad protection, with limits up to $145 million. We cover over 20% of the nation’s hotel rooms.
Commercial Umbrella insurance provides extended Liability coverage and steps in after the limits on the General Liability policy have been exhausted. Our carriers are all admitted and “A” rated.
Partner with Us Today
If your clients are looking for reliable hotel umbrella insurance, partner with Distinguished today. Register with us to get started, and once that’s complete, simply fill out the application form and submit your business. We can then get back to you with a quote right away.
