Not only did many New York businesses suffer property damage and flood damage, but they also suffered losses due to theft. According to a Huffington Post report, looters rifled through many vulnerable stores on the streets of Coney Island in Brooklyn during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Even when the flood waters were still apparent, looters in New York rummaged through shops on Mermaid Avenue to steal goods, medications, money, valuables, and more during the evening of Monday, October 29, 2012. During this time, the 60th precinct, which covers Coney Island, was evacuated due to flood concerns, and police officers were doing their best to cover crime; however, there were a lot of distractions due to the powerful storm and related damages.
Thieves broke into stores that already suffered serious damages in Sandy and robbed them of their goods. Sadly, these unbelievable acts break businesses and make it harder for small companies to reopen. One store that suffered both property damages and theft was Mega Aid Pharmacy. By the time workers arrived at 8:00 a.m. the next day, they found that thieves had broken in and had stolen thousands of prescription medications. This store was just one of many New York businesses that were victims of theft following Sandy.
This scene is similar to what victims of Hurricane Katrina and Irene went through, as looting was prevalent shortly after these disasters.
Businesses that suffer theft and other business losses from Sandy need to report all of their losses to their insurer’s claims department. This includes property damages, theft, and lost business income. If you need help calculating what your claim should be worth or fighting the insurance company for your just compensation, please call a commercial insurance attorney at the Voss Law Firm 888-614-7730 to receive a complimentary consultation and a free copy of our book Commercial Insurance Claims: The Basics.
