America’s Leading Maritime and Boat Accident Attorneys Fight for Justice and Maximum Compensation for International Boating Injuries and Deaths
The team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. are world-renowned maritime and boat accident attorneys. We have fought for our clients since we opened our doors back in 1971. That is over 50 years of service and legal advocacy. We are equipped with 16 personal injury lawyers across 8 office locations in the U.S. Our firm has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report every year since 2016. We are proud that 4 of our attorneys have been selected as “Best Lawyers” ® in America. Collectively, we have recovered more than $300 million for our clients and have appeared as expert guests on some of the country’s most prestigious news programs and talk shows. Our founder, Charles Lipcon, has even handled some of the nation’s landmark cases surrounding personal injury and maritime laws, changing the way the country handles complex cases of this nature.
Recently, off of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a reputable publishing executive suffered fatal injuries during a boating accident. Unfortunately, international maritime laws may make recovering compensation from the at-fault party more complex than the family may realize. If you or someone you love has been in a similar situation, it is imperative to consult with an experienced international maritime law firm like Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. to protect your rights and ensure liable parties are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our team has significant experience handling similar cases, including the recently certified Class Action in Italy in the Costa Luminosa coronavirus outbreak nightmare, and the Costa Concordia disaster, making us uniquely equipped at navigating the Italian legal system on behalf of the victims of Italian maritime disasters. Continue reading to find out more about what happened to Adrienne Vaughan and how our maritime attorneys can help victims get through these difficult times. Contact us today for a free consultation and we will put our skills and extensive legal knowledge to work.
What Happened to Adrienne Vaughan?
In early August 2023, U.S. publishing executive Adrienne Vaughan, aged 45, suffered fatal injuries in a boating accident off Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Vaughan is most widely known for being president of the U.S. branch of Bloomsbury Publishing.
It was initially reported that the “gommone” or motorboat she was riding aboard with her two children and husband collided with another rented events sailboat in international waters. The sailboat, known as the “Tortuga” had approximately 80 German and U.S. tourists aboard its 45-meter boat. The Salerno prosecutor’s office and the Italian Coast Guard office are currently investigating. Vaughan’s boat was rented via a skipper, or ship captain, and was headed for Positano when it collided with the rented events sailboat.
The sailboat and motorboat were headed towards Fiordo di Furore off the Amalfi Coast at approximately 6 PM when the collision occurred. Upon impact, Vaughan was tossed from the boat and fell into the water, suffering fatal injuries due to the Tortuga’s propeller blades. When the Amalfi Coast Guard unit responded, Vaughan was taken to the Amalfi port and Castiglione’s emergency room but ultimately passed away before she could be airlifted to nearby Salerno.
Although Vaughan was pulled out of the water and to a nearby dock, she sadly succumbed to her injuries. Vaughan’s two children did not suffer any injuries, but her husband, Mike White, suffered a serious shoulder injury that ultimately required hospitalization. The skipper is estimated to be 30 years of age and suffered broken ribs and a broken pelvis. No one traveling aboard the sailboat was injured.
Negligence and Drunk Boating May Have Contributed to Vaughan’s Death
The motorboat’s skipper may be under investigation at this time after initial news reports by the Italian news provider, ANSA, stated that his test results indicated substance use, but did not initially indicate whether it was drugs or alcohol consumption.
Upon further review, Salerno public prosecutor Marinella Guglielmotti says toxicology reports indicate he may have been under the influence of alcohol, or had more than the legal amount allowed under the law, when the motor boat crashed. The captain of the Tortuga did not test positive for any type of drugs or alcohol and is not under investigation at this time. While the investigation is ongoing, both boats are currently sequestered by the Salerno Port Authority.
Victims of Boating Accidents Have the Right to Total Financial Compensation
Vaughan’s family may have grounds for legal action via a boating accident lawsuit or wrongful death claim, particularly if reports are correct in indicating the motorboat’s skipper was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. Drunk boating is one of the top causes of fatal injuries across the world. Although no amount of compensation will erase the pain of their loss, Vaughan’s family should not be stuck covering her funeral and burial costs, and medical expenses. Nor should the skipper be able to avoid being held accountable for his negligence and reckless boat operations.
A reputable international maritime injury law firm can help Vaughan’s family and other families in similar situations demand justice and access the compensation they are entitled to. Families may be able to recover a wide array of economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of guidance and support
- Loss of protection and advice
- Loss of financial contributions
- Loss of employee benefits
- Loss of household services
The U.S.’ Top-Rated International Maritime Law Firm Demands At-Fault Parties Be Held Accountable
Our international maritime law firm has been named one of America’s “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report annually for nearly a decade. Four of our personal injury lawyers have been selected as “Best Lawyers” 2016-2024 ® as well. Our successful representation of the Costa Concordia disaster in Italy makes us one of the top choices for families struggling with international boating and maritime accidents. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in an accident on international waters, our firm is here to help you through these trying times.
Contact a reputable boating accident lawyer at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., or call us at 877–233–1238 to schedule your confidential and free consultation and start working on your case as soon as today.
Published on August 17, 2023
Categories: Boating Accidents
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