A U.S. tourist named Yvonne Martin claims she was attacked by a shark during a sailing lesson at Club Med Turkoise in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to a federal lawsuit reviewed by The Independent, the incident occurred on October 15, 2024, when Martin was assigned a Hobie Cat, a small two-hulled boat, and was sailing under the supervision of a Club Med instructor. The lawsuit alleges that the instructor told Martin to return to shore due to bad weather but instead directed her to jump off the boat into open water, about 75 feet from the shore. Club Med employees, according to the complaint, did not take any precautions to ensure the water was safe from dangerous sea creatures, such as sharks. Martin was attacked shortly after jumping into the water. After the attack, Martin managed to swim back to the beach, where a fellow guest helped her with her bleeding leg. However, the resort’s nurse reportedly took her credit card information but failed to provide adequate medical care. An ambulance, called by Club Med staff, arrived over an hour later. Martin’s hospital stay was cut short due to problems with Club Med’s insurance coverage, despite her condition being described as "trauma" and requiring further treatment. She was then sent back to her hotel room and instructed to stay there while insurance issues were sorted. The lawsuit claims that there is a critical 6 to 8 hour window for treating shark bites to prevent infection, but Club Med and the hospital missed this window. Martin was confined to her room for two days without treatment, leading to a worsening infection that required emergency care in Miami, Florida. As a result, she underwent surgery, physical therapy, and a prolonged hospital stay. She now suffers from mental anguish, permanent nerve damage, significant scarring, and a diminished quality of life. Martin, who was traveling alone, is being represented by attorney Jim Tate, who described her as "an attractive senior" and noted that the shark bite has "permanently marred her swimsuit appearance." Tate stated that Martin was "at the mercy of Club Med" after the injury and that the resort prioritized insurance matters over her medical needs. A Club Med spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit was filed in a Maryland federal court on September 9. The complaint states that Martin did not assume the risk of a shark attack, as she was on a boat and had no intention of entering open water. It was only after being instructed by Club Med employees to jump off the boat that she entered the water. While shark attacks in the Turks and Caicos are rare, they have occurred in recent years, including incidents involving a Canadian tourist and a Connecticut woman who both lost limbs to shark bites. Martin is now seeking compensation of at least $500,000, plus legal fees and court costs, to be determined by a jury.