If I Am Injured at My Airbnb, Can I Sue?

 Posted on May 16, 2025 in Personal Injury

If you travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the chances are that you will rent your accommodations. While there are plenty of hotels to choose from, many prefer to stay at vacation rental homes. Whether you book yours through Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar company, you will be staying at a place owned by an individual. You expect your rental to be clean, well-maintained, and safe.

Unfortunately, various kinds of accidents can happen at these rental properties. If the owner’s negligence is the reason for your accident and injury, you may be entitled to compensation. However, being so far from home, it is hard to know who can help you with your claim. Our St. Thomas premises liability lawyers have offices in the Islands, making us the ideal choice.

What Are Common Types of Accidents at Vacation Rentals?

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their rentals safe for guests. Many of these owners rarely visit their properties, relying on local help for cleaning and maintenance. They may not be aware of safety hazards, or they may lack the resources necessary to address them. The large number of guests rotating through the property can make matters worse because not everyone treats a vacation rental with the same level of care they would take in their own homes.

A wide variety of accidents can happen at these properties, potentially causing serious injuries, such as:

• Unsafe balconies or stairs that cause falls
• Cluttered, loose, or broken floors and walking surfaces
• Unsafe swimming pools
• Defective household items or appliances catching on fire or otherwise harming guests
• Inadequate lighting
• Negligent security, such as faulty locks, that allow criminals easy entry

The key to collecting compensation in these cases is being able to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition, had plenty of time to correct it, and failed to do so. That is easier said than done.

How Can Our Lawyers Help After an Airbnb Injury?

Getting the evidence needed to collect compensation requires an investigation. Because we have local offices, we are better able to conduct it than an attorney in your local area back home. We understand the local laws and how they apply to your case. We always focus on protecting your best interests while working to maximize your compensation.

To get compensation, you need to file an insurance claim. If you choose to handle your own claim or use a mainland lawyer, the liable insurer will probably think it can dispute your claim and evidence of the property owner’s negligence easily. After all, you had to rely on a third party to perform your investigation, and who knows if the findings were accurate? Allowing us to handle your case removes the need for an independent investigator because we will use our own. That gives your claim more credibility. It also gives you a much better chance of securing as much compensation as you deserve.

Discuss Your Case With Our St. John Vacation Rental Accident Attorneys

When a vacation rental injury interrupts your vacation, you can trust our experienced U.S. Virgin Islands premises liability lawyers to provide effective local legal representation. Contact us at 340-719-1766 or online now to request your free case review.