Hurricane Sandy blasted dark clouds, high winds, and rain over the Northeast coast and left in its wake, not only a disaster but also an opportunity to assess the successes and failures of our disaster preparation, performance, and recovery.
In the aftermath of Sandy, there will also be legal fallout. Inadequate preparation by mission-critical facilities, such as hospitals, in addition to a human toll, can give rise to substantial liability. I addressed this issue in a previous column regarding Hurricane Katrina. It remains to be seen what litigation Sandy causes, but it is sure to come. For example, a class-action lawsuit by plaintiffs against a New Orleans hospital that was submerged in floodwaters following Katrina reportedly settled for $25 million.