Can I Sue a Hotel if I Slip and Fall on the Property in the U.S. Virgin Islands?

 Posted on December 14, 2025 in Personal Injury

Taking a spill at a hotel can result in much more than a bruised ego. A serious slip and fall can result in significant medical expenses that ruin the trip and even cause long-term issues. Sometimes, these falls are caused by the hotel’s negligence, and that means the hotel should be held responsible for the resulting damages. If you have questions about your right to compensation, our U.S. Virgin Islands personal injury lawyers can explain the laws that apply to these cases and help you value your claim.

Common Hazards in Hotel Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents in hotels are often caused by unsafe conditions that are easy to overlook. Some of the most common hazards include:

• Wet or freshly cleaned floors without warning signs

• Spilled drinks or tracked-in rainwater

• Cracked tiles, loose flooring, or uneven walkways

• Poor lighting in halls, stairwells, or outdoor paths

• Broken handrails on stairs or ramps

• Pool deck surfaces with little traction

• Clutter or equipment left in walking areas

These hazards can appear in lobbies, hallways, elevators, pool areas, and entrances. When hotels do not fix these issues or warn guests in time, the risk of injury increases.

Can a Hotel Be Held Liable for a Slip and Fall in the U.S. Virgin Islands?

Hotels have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for guests. This includes walkways, pools, staircases, lobbies, and other common areas. When a hotel fails to fix a known hazard or does not provide proper warning about a dangerous condition, it could be liable for resulting injuries and damage.

Virgin Islands law applies common law principles to these cases through 1 V.I.C. § 4. Under this rule, property owners must take reasonable steps to prevent harm when they know or should know about unsafe conditions. A hotel does not need to intend for someone to get hurt for liability to apply. The key question is whether reasonable care was used to protect guests from known risks.

How Do You Prove the Hotel Was Negligent After a Fall?

To succeed in a hotel slip and fall claim, you must show that the hotel failed to act with reasonable care. This usually involves proving four things. First, did the hotel owe a duty to keep guests safe? Second, was there a dangerous condition that the hotel failed to fix or warn you about? Third, did the condition cause your injury? Finally, did your injury result in damages?

Evidence plays a major role in proving negligence. Photographs of the hazard, incident reports, witness statements, and maintenance records can all support a claim. Surveillance video is often helpful if it shows how long a hazard existed before the fall happened.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Hotel Slip-and-Fall Claim?

Compensation in a hotel slip-and-fall case is meant to cover both financial losses and the personal impact of the injury. This often includes medical bills for emergency care, hospital treatment, follow-up visits, therapy, and future medical needs. Lost income could be recoverable if the injury keeps you from working during recovery. Compensation may also account for pain, physical limits, and how the injury affects daily life. The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injury and how long the effects last.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a St. Thomas Premises Liability Attorney

If your accident happened on St. Thomas, working with a local premises liability attorney who understands island properties and court procedures can make a meaningful difference. At Colianni & Leonard LLC, we have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients and bring more than 60 years of combined legal experience to each case. Call us today at 340-719-1766 to schedule a free consultation with U.S. Virgin Islands personal injury lawyers who can help.