Can I Sue a Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands for Food Poisoning?

 Posted on September 15, 2025 in Personal Injury

The U.S. Virgin Islands is known for its beautiful beaches and luxury resorts, but for some visitors, a dream vacation ends with sickness instead of sun. Food poisoning is one of the most common tourist-related injuries across the islands. If resort kitchens or restaurants do not follow safe practices, guests can suffer serious illness.

If you got sick after eating at a resort, a personal injury claim may offer legal recourse. A St. Croix vacation injury lawyer can explain your rights and whether a resort could be held responsible.

Are Resorts Responsible for Food Poisoning?

Foodborne illness often comes from contaminated food or unsafe preparation. Poor staff hygiene or kitchens that ignore safety rules raise the risk of outbreaks.

Under 19 V.I.C. § 509 of the Virgin Islands Code, resorts and restaurants must follow the FDA Food Code, which sets rules for food storage, preparation, and inspections. A resort that violates these standards can be liable if a guest becomes ill.

You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost vacation time, and other damages. These cases are often difficult because symptoms may be mistaken for another illness and visitors usually eat at multiple places. Medical records and, when available, lab results help prove the source. An attorney can piece together the facts and show where the resort failed.

Can Food Poisoning Cases Lead to Big Settlements?

Many claims involve short-term illness and modest payouts, but severe cases have resulted in significant compensation. E. coli or salmonella may cause lasting kidney or digestive problems, and ciguatera poisoning — more common in the Caribbean — can leave lingering neurological symptoms. Settlements in such cases have reached six figures. Large outbreaks tied to resorts or cruise ships have also led to higher awards because when guests are affected at once, negligence can be easier to prove.

Can I Still Sue for Food Poisoning After Returning Home?

Most visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands who become sick during their trip must return home afterward. It can feel overwhelming to think about a lawsuit from far away.

The good news is you can work with a lawyer based in St. Croix. Our office in the USVI allows us to investigate locally and deal directly with resorts and health authorities, while you stay updated by phone, email, or video conferencing.

In the Virgin Islands, you generally have two years from the date of the illness to file a personal injury claim under 5 V.I.C. § 31(5)(A). Contacting us while you are still here helps us start quickly, but even if you wait until you return home, we can move your case forward while communicating with you remotely to meet deadlines.

Contact a St. Croix Resort Food Poisoning Lawyer

Food poisoning on vacation is about more than a ruined trip. If you are left with pain, medical costs, and the disappointment of an expensive getaway gone wrong, we can help you pursue justice.

Let the US Virgin Islands personal injury attorneys at Colianni & Leonard LLC handle the legal side while you recover. We offer free consultations, and we often work remotely with clients who have already returned to the mainland. Call us at 340-719-1766 today to learn how we can help you pursue compensation.