In recent months, there has been a spike in shark attacks all over the world. While local residents almost always claim that it’s the humans that are to blame, the issue is yet to find a proper solution. In the meantime, the surfing community often has to take the brunt of things. Many of its members have come face-to-face with the aquatic creatures recently. One such incident has again happened last year, leaving surfing enthusiasts exasperated.

In most cases, when a surfer is a victim of a shark attack, the community comes together to help them through the tough times. However, in such circumstances, medical coverage is understandably the biggest support for the families. But that doesn’t always work out to the survivors’ benefit, and the latest incident once again proved how complications can only muddy the waters.

Shark attack survivor left hanging

The official New York Post took to X on January 12 to share how Virginia resident Elisabeth Foley isn’t being provided the help she needs by her medical insurance company for her prosthetic arm. Foley lost her left hand in a shark attack in June last year, and she only recently learned that her health insurer declined to pay for the same. She claimed a $73,000 myoelectric prosthetic hand and was assured she would receive the appendage on Christmas Eve, but Cigna Healthcare denied her claim.

Foley told the Post that she felt “deflated” after learning about it. “It’s insane and frustrating because I paid for health insurance my entire life…But I need their pay now, and they won’t help me,” she said further. Elisabeth spotted a shark during a beach vacation in the Gulf of Mexico with her family last year. She started to swim to the shore, but the shark caught up with her, and Foley suffered pelvic damage.

However, the instinct to save her children took over, and she punched the shark, which then dragged her underwater. She later resurfaced without an arm, which required Foley to undergo 25 surgeries. Supporters set up a GoFundMe campaign to help Elisabeth and her family, but the community still can’t overcome the fact that Cigna failed to do its part.

The surfing community is left fuming

“This is why bad things happen,” said one fan of how health insurance companies create situations that directly affect people’s health. Just a few days ago when surfing connoisseur Lance Appleby lost his life in a shark attack in Australia, community members contributed to the GoFundMe his family set up. But this time, the people who were supposed to shoulder the responsibility, back off, and the fans aren’t taking it lightly. “Insurance is a scam,” complained another fan.

“Cigna is an absolute, awful insurer,” read another comment. “That’s so sad,” said another netizen. This incident highlights how things can come crashing down when the health insurance provider refuses to pull its weight in such a crisis.

With the growing population, humans often come in close contact with wild animals by encroaching on their habitat. Naturally, people cannot always avoid a few accidents. And one fan believes authorities need to regulate these things for the safety of both humans and wildlife. “This will only change through laws!” sounded the call to action of the fan. What do you think is the solution to stop such incidents from happening? Tell us your suggestion below.