Woman Died In Lake Michigan Sailboat Accident Near Winnetka

Wrongful Death - June 18, 2024

Investigation Underway After Woman Died When Sailboat Capsized In Lake Michigan North of Winnetka

Woman Died In Lake Michigan Sailboat Accident Near Winnetka

WINNETKA, ILLINOIS (June 18, 2024) – A woman in her 50’s has tragically died after a sailboat capsized in Lake Michigan, not far from Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place early Monday morning. Two women in their 50’s boarded the boat and set sail from Evanston.

At some point during their trip, the boat capsized. One of the women was able to swim two to three miles to the shoreline in Winnetka.

After she reached Tower Road Beach, she was able to notify the Coast Guard and local fire departments of what took place. After several hours of searching, a Chicago Fire Department helicopter was able to locate the other woman.

Rescuers began CPR and took her to Weiss Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. Despite life-saving measures, she was later pronounced dead.

A full investigation into the cause of the Lake Michigan boat accident remains ongoing.

Liability For Cook County Sailboat Accidents

Far too many people are killed or seriously injured in boat accidents every year. According to Statista, “Deaths and injuries caused by boating accidents in the U.S. 2002-2022. In the United States, 636 people died as a result of boating accidents and 2,222 people were injured in 2022. Over the past 16 years, this figure decreased by over one and a half thousand.” There are a number of steps that can be taken in order to prevent boat accidents.

  • Boat operators should understand all navigational rules and emergency protocols.
  • All people on a boat should wear life jackets.
  • Boats should be regularly inspected and well-maintained.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for a boat accident. For example, the company that manufactured a sailboat could be liable if it was involved in a crash. Generally speaking, companies can be liable for the design defects associated with their products. There are a number of defects that a boat may have that could cause it to capsize.

  • A sailboat may have been designed to be dangerously top-heavy. A top-heavy vessel is much more prone to capsizing.
  • A sailboat may have had insufficient or poorly distributed ballast.
  • A sailboat with a flat bottom hull can provide less stability. In turn, this increases capsizing risk in rough waters.
  • A sailboat with a shallow keel may not provide adequate righting force to counteract the heeling force from the wind.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any sailboat accident. Accident victims may sustain critical injuries that impact all aspects of their lives. In far too many situations, people do not survive boat accidents, especially during poor weather. The family of any person who died in a boat accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Lake Michigan Sailboat Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in this Lake Michigan sailboat accident. It is our sincere hope that the other woman will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that other tragedies can be prevented.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lake Michigan sailboat accident? Our team of boat safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.