Burn survivor Cassandra Rivera and Dr. Schulman to speak on family’s recovery after Fort Lauderdale boat explosion.
This tragedy turned the Riveras’ world upside down. Our focus is on getting them the justice they deserve, and helping prevent something like this from happening again” — Glen Levine
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, burn survivor Cassandra Rivera publicly shared the devastating details of the Memorial Day boat explosion in Fort Lauderdale that critically injured her family and left nearly a dozen people hurt. Rivera spoke alongside Dr. Carl Schulman, lead burn surgeon with Jackson Health System and UHealth, and her attorney, Glen Levine, of the South Florida-based personal injury law firm Anidjar & Levine.
The press conference was held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room T103 at the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Rivera’s two sons, 7-year-old Anthony and 5-year-old Kash, remain hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Holtz Children’s Hospital. Both boys suffered severe burns in the explosion. Anthony, the most critically injured victim, continues to receive intensive burn care and sedation.
Rivera herself sustained burns to over 20% of her body. Speaking through visible emotion, she recalled the horrific moments leading up to the explosion:
“My husband is screaming, ‘I smell fuel. I smell fuel. Please. Stop. Stop. Stop.’ And all of a sudden, you just see this fuel explosion, and it exploded and it was gone,” Rivera said. “And when I tell you, it felt like maybe someone poured 2,000-degree water on me.”
Despite her injuries, Rivera initially refused to be admitted to the hospital so she could remain by her sons’ bedsides. Her husband also survived the blast. Tragically, 38-year-old Joshua Fifi, a father of four who was also on board, died days later from his injuries.
Tragedy on the Intracoastal:
The explosion occurred on Memorial Day while multiple families were enjoying the holiday on a private vessel in the Intracoastal Waterway near Fort Lauderdale. According to preliminary reports, passengers aboard the boat had expressed concern about the smell of fuel just moments before the explosion. Rivera’s account confirms those fears:
“We knew something was wrong,” she said. “There was a strong smell of gasoline. My husband begged for the boat to be stopped—but we didn’t have time.”
The blast sent flames and shrapnel through the vessel, causing life-threatening burns and traumatic injuries to multiple passengers. Several were thrown into the water or onto the deck. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and the most severely injured were transported south to Jackson Memorial Hospital, home of the renowned Miami Burn Center and Holtz Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Schulman provided an overview of the lifesaving burn treatments being administered to the Rivera children and others. “This is one of the most challenging cases we’ve seen involving pediatric burn trauma from a boating incident,” he said. “Our teams are working around the clock to provide the best possible outcome.”
Legal Action and Representation:
The Rivera family is being represented by Anidjar & Levine. This Fort Lauderdale-based law firm has earned a reputation for handling complex personal injury, maritime, and wrongful death cases. Attorney Glen Levine, who stood beside Rivera during the press conference, expressed support for the family and pledged a thorough investigation.
“What happened to Cassandra and her family is beyond heartbreaking. They went out to enjoy a holiday weekend and came back fighting for their lives,” said Levine. “We are committed to uncovering how this happened and whether it could have been prevented. The victims deserve accountability, and the families deserve answers.”
Anidjar & Levine has decades of experience helping injury victims across Florida and is actively working to determine the cause of the explosion, including possible mechanical failure, negligence, or lack of proper safety measures on the vessel. The firm’s attorneys are encouraging any witnesses or others with information about the incident to come forward.
Continuing the Fight:
As the Rivera family continues its long road to recovery, Cassandra Rivera says her focus remains entirely on her children. “I’m just grateful we’re still here, but this pain—physically and emotionally—is something no parent should ever have to experience,” she said. “I want to be strong for my boys, because they need me now more than ever.”
About Anidjar & Levine:
Founded in Fort Lauderdale, Anidjar & Levine is a leading South Florida personal injury law firm committed to providing aggressive legal representation and compassionate client service. The firm handles a wide range of cases, including boating accidents, burn injuries, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. Attorneys Marc Anidjar and Glen Levine lead a team of experienced trial lawyers who fight for justice on behalf of injured individuals and their families throughout Florida.
