Charles R. Lipcon is the firm's founding attorney and has been handling injury, cruise line sexual assault and wrongful death claims for over 40 years.
Jason R. Margulies is an experienced maritime lawyer and an active trial attorney handling personal injury, cruise line sexual assault and wrongful death claims.
Ricardo V. Alsina is an active trial attorney, handling personal injury, cruise line sexual assault and wrongful death claims.
Mr. Winkleman is an active trial and appellate attorney handling all personal injury, cruise line sexual assault and wrongful death claims, as well as complex business disputes.
Although the Atlantic hurricane season is just one month away from ending, the season is not going away without a huge impact from Hurricane Sandy. Sandy already caused destruction in Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas before heading up the Eastern Seaboard, leaving behind several wounded victims and fatalities, and its damaging rains and winds continue to wreak havoc on the northern states.
The Hurricane seriously affected the cruise ship industry, leading many to wonder how many passengers and crewmembers will be in need of a cruise injury lawyer. Nearly two dozen cruise ships have changed their itineraries to avoid the storm while some have remained at sea. One particular cruise ship, the Carnival Glory, had its own rocky start to a Caribbean itinerary due to the storm.
According to a Cruise Bruise report, Gretchen Rhodecap, a travel agent, was onboard the Glory last week when the storm was making its way through the Bahamas. Rhodecap explained the sailing was anything but smooth after a passenger suffered a medical emergency during the storm.
“There was a medical emergency onboard the Carnival Glory last night and the ship had to turn around and head back to Norfolk so the Coast Guard could reach us to airlift the person off at around 11pm… so now we are arriving Nassau late…” recounted Rhodecap.
As the Sandy drew near, the then Category 2 Hurricane caused the ship to rock back and forth, and according to Rhodecap, being on the cruise ship was like “being on a rollercoaster.”
The Glory left Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, October 20, and according to Rhodecap, changed the itinerary again after the medical emergency.
“Carnival Glory changed the itinerary again due to Tropical Storm Sandy…. our port of call Friday at Freeport has been canceled… and we are not overnighting in Nassau either. We will instead be docking at Port Canaveral… three days in Bahamas just turned into a half day and then Florida…”
But the itinerary changes didn’t stop there. Rhodecap went on to blog about how the call in Florida was also cancelled and the ship would remain at sea for three days to avoid the storm.
“We aren’t going anywhere… word around the ship is that we are going further out into the Atlantic to avoid some of storm.”
Rhodecap added that along with passengers, “there were a lot of crew at the medical center.” While no severe injuries have been reported due to Sandy, nearly everyone onboard the Glory, and other cruise lines who were affected by the winds and waves caused by Sandy became ill with motion sickness.
While the majority of reported incidents onboard cruise ships caused by Hurricane Sandy involved motion sickness, it may be a while before more serious injuries are reported. Anyone who has suffered an accident onboard any cruise ship because of the storm is encouraged to seek legal help immediately. Our cruise injury lawyers are here to help you obtain compensation for your pain and suffering.
With over 80 years of combined experience in maritime and admiralty law, our attorneys are here to help you obtain justice. Call the Lipcon law firm today to get started on your claim right away.
PHOTO SOURCE: Wikipedia