Umbrella dangers can lead to serious injuries and even life-threatening accidents. Every year, on South Carolina beaches people are hurt by flying umbrellas that are not secured properly. This can lead to serious injuries and even life-threatening accidents.
Dreaming of a day at the beach usually includes crashing waves, warm sand, and plenty of relaxation sitting under your beach umbrella. But, when thinking about the dangers, flying beach umbrellas do not even enter our minds. Instead, we tend to think about getting a bad sunburn or maybe even sharks in the area.
At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we want beachgoers across South Carolina to stay safe and understand their legal rights if an accident happens. Let’s discuss the risks, common injuries, and how to protect yourself and your family from umbrella dangers.
Beach umbrellas may look harmless, but they can quickly become dangerous in strong winds. Coastal areas like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head often experience sudden gusts. When an umbrella is not anchored properly, the wind can lift it out of the sand and send it flying.
These flying umbrellas can travel fast and hit people nearby. The pointed metal ends can act like sharp objects, increasing the risk of serious harm. This is why umbrella dangers are a growing concern along South Carolina beaches.
Even on a calm day, wind conditions can change quickly. Many beach accidents happen when people least expect it.
The CPSC has reported that around 3,000 Americans a year are hospitalized due to injuries caused by umbrellas.
Globally, there are roughly 2 million deaths per year from umbrella-related accidents.
When a beach umbrella becomes airborne, it can cause severe injuries. Some of the most common injuries linked to umbrellas include:
In some cases, these injuries can lead to long-term health problems. Children are especially at risk because they are smaller and more vulnerable to impact.
Emergency responders in South Carolina have reported incidents where beach umbrellas caused serious trauma. These are not just minor accidents—they can be life-changing events.
Berenice Kelly and her husband were vacationing at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms. As weather conditions worsened, the umbrellas that the resort had put out on the beach for guests to use were blown loose from where they had been placed in the sand. One such umbrella hit Kelly in the face, shattering her face and nose. This required extensive surgery to repair.
As Kelly’s husband, Theodore, provided aid to his wife while waiting for emergency services to arrive, he was also injured. The couple filed a lawsuit against the Wild Dunes Resort. The Kellys claim that the resort “failed to properly install the umbrella and monitor weather conditions” (News13).
Another woman was killed after being impaled in the chest by a loose beach umbrella. Tammy Perreault was enjoying a day at a Garden City beach when an umbrella blew loose from its anchoring and struck her in the torso. She was rushed to a hospital, but unfortunately, she died about an hour later from chest trauma (CBS News). A settlement of an undisclosed amount was eventually reached after a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Perreault’s husband.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), because of their wide canopy, it is easy for umbrellas to get caught in a strong wind if they aren’t anchored properly. To help anchor them, umbrellas typically have a spiked end to cut through sand easily. However, this makes them incredibly dangerous if they are being hurtled through the air.
There are several reasons why umbrella dangers occur so often at the beach. The most common causes include:
While beach days can be a fun way to relax, it is important to be aware of weather conditions and of your surroundings. If you’re using an umbrella on the beach, make sure that it is properly secured in the sand and don’t leave it unattended if there is relatively strong wind.
The good news is that many umbrella-related injuries can be prevented. Taking a few simple steps can greatly reduce your risk:
Many South Carolina beaches have rules about umbrellas. Some local governments require specific types of anchors or restrict umbrella sizes during busy seasons.
For example, popular areas like Myrtle Beach often have regulations in place to keep visitors safe. These rules are designed to reduce umbrella dangers and protect large crowds.
Local beach umbrella ordinances for SC beaches:
Grand Strand Area
Charleston area
If someone ignores these rules and causes an injury, they may be held responsible. This is where understanding your legal rights becomes important.
The CPSC has also developed a voluntary safety standard for beach umbrellas and their anchoring systems to make them safer and more reliable.
If you or a loved one is hurt because of umbrella dangers, you may be wondering who is at fault. In many cases, the person who set up the umbrella can be held responsible if they acted carelessly.
Examples of negligence include:
In some cases, a business, resort, or rental company may also be responsible. If they provided faulty umbrellas or failed to follow safety rules, they could be liable for injuries.
A personal injury claim can help victims recover compensation for:
If you are injured due to umbrella dangers, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal case.
Acting quickly can make a big difference in your case. Call us now!
At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we have years of experience helping injury victims and families of wrongful death victims across South Carolina. We understand how unexpected accidents—like those involving umbrella dangers—can disrupt your life.
Our team is committed to:
We take pride in treating every client with care and respect. Our firm has earned strong reviews and recognition for helping injured individuals and families throughout the state.
At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we are proud of the reputation we have built across South Carolina. Our firm has received recognition from respected legal organizations, including being named among America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys and America’s Top 100 Medical Malpractice Litigators. We have also earned over 100 verified five-star client reviews from people we have helped during difficult times. These awards and reviews reflect our commitment to providing compassionate service and strong legal representation for every client we serve.
We know how difficult it can be to deal with the immediate and long-term effects of a serious accident. Attorney David L. Hood and his legal co-counsel team will work hard to make things simple for you. After a free case evaluation, if we believe we can help you and your family, we will vigorously pursue your case to get you the best result we can achieve. Let us put our over 30 years of experience to work for you!
If someone you care about has been seriously injured, or died due to someone else’s negligence, please schedule your free consultation by calling The Law Offices of David L. Hood at one of our 18 South Carolina locations. You can also reach us by chat, text or email.
*Clients are not liable for any expenses, unless there is a recovery in their case. However, if there is a recovery in their case, clients will be liable for expenses. Attorney’s fees are based on a percentage of the recovery, which will be computed before deducting expenses.
