Apparently people are getting impaled by wind blown umbrellas. No proposals to ban them yet.
Various headlines.
Various headlines.
When propelled by heavy winds, a beach umbrella can pose tremendous danger, an Inside Edition investigation has found.
Woman Impaled By Beach Umbrella On Jersey Shore
Here's how to plant a beach umbrella so it doesn't blow away -
Beach umbrellas can be a great way to avoid getting a sunburn at the beach. But on a windy day, they can also pose a significant danger. A strong wind can turn an umbrella into a dangerous object, with the potential to cause serious injuries. In addition to beach umbrellas possibly being lifted out of the sand, umbrellas can also come out of outdoor dining tables or even outdoor store displays.
Lawsuits against individuals or business owners based on an umbrella injury generally allege that the defendant was negligent in properly securing the umbrella. Even the government is a potential defendant in beach umbrella cases. If the incident occurs on a public beach, for example, the government may be responsible, particularly if the lifeguard was aware of the potential hazard caused by the wind but failed to minimize the danger.