Recent Blog Posts
Can You Sue a Tour Operator After a Parasailing Accident?
You can sue a tour operator after a parasailing accident if their negligence caused your injuries. Tour operators have a legal duty to keep their customers safe, and when they fail to do that, they can be held responsible for what happens. Parasailing accidents can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you love was hurt in a parasailing accident in 2026, the US Virgin Islands tourist injury lawyers at Colianni & Leonard LLC can help you understand your rights and what your case may be worth.
What Legal Duty Does a Parasailing Tour Operator Owe Customers?
Tour operators who offer parasailing and other water activities have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect the safety of their customers. This duty includes properly maintaining equipment, training staff, checking weather conditions before going out, following safety rules, and making sure customers are properly secured before takeoff.
Is Airbnb or the Host Liable for Injuries on Rented Properties?
The Virgin Islands draw millions of visitors every year, and short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb have become one of the most popular lodging options. In theory, it provides guests with the benefit of cheaper stays with the security of a large company that offers customer service if something goes wrong. However, that doesn’t mean they are on your side if you are injured during your stay. If you've been hurt at an Airbnb property during your stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2026, a St. Thomas personal injury attorney can help you figure out who's actually responsible for your losses.
How Does Airbnb Address Liability When a Guest Gets Hurt?
Airbnb describes itself as a marketplace platform that connects hosts and guests. Because the relationship is between the guest and the host, Airbnb is largely shielded from direct liability in many injury cases. Its terms of service indicate that the company generally won't be held responsible for accidents that happen on host properties.
What Compensation Can I Get for a Faulty Scuba Equipment Rental?
The beautiful reefs of the US Virgin Islands are one of the prime reasons to visit, but nothing will ruin the experience faster than faulty scuba or snorkeling gear. When a rental company hands you defective equipment, what should be an incredible excursion can become dangerous, or even fatal.
At the very least, you’ll likely want your money back. If you experience actual harm, you may be entitled to compensation. If you were impacted by faulty scuba gear in 2026, a US Virgin Islands personal injury lawyer can explain your options.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Defective Rental Gear?
Equipment rentals for something like scuba gear mean placing significant trust in the rental company. The company that rented you the gear may be liable, and other parties may as well.
Does Lack of Infrastructure Affect Personal Injury Claims in the US Virgin Islands?
The US Virgin Islands draws millions of visitors every year, almost all arriving without a car. Renting a vehicle on the islands is expensive; taxis can be even more so. The islands are small, and with public transit as a fallback, walking doesn’t seem so unreasonable.
Unfortunately for anyone who’s never been to the islands, there’s one important thing that’s often missing: sidewalks. If a USVI accident involves you or someone else walking along one of the island roads, a St. John personal injury attorney can help you understand whether you have a claim.
How Are Roadside Conditions in the US Virgin Islands Different from Other Tourist Destinations?
Not all the roads in the USVI are unsafe to walk along. St. John tends to be better maintained for foot traffic. This is probably due to it being more tourist-oriented and more than 60 percent national park, according to the National Parks Service. There aren’t sidewalks lining all the roads of St. John, but there are well-kept walking and hiking trails that can get you to many parts of the island.
Can You File a Claim if You Were Hurt at a Popular Tourist Attraction in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
You can often file a claim if you were injured at a tourist attraction in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, your ability to recover compensation depends on who was responsible and whether negligence played a role.
As of 2026, the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to attract record numbers of travelers. In fact, the territory reported a significant increase in airline travelers in recent years, reflecting the growing popularity of destinations like St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
With crowded beaches, excursion sites, cruise ports, and historic attractions, accidents can happen when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. If you were hurt while visiting, our U.S. Virgin Islands personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and what steps to take next.
What Makes Car Accident Claims in the Virgin Islands Complex?
Car accident claims in the U.S. Virgin Islands are more complicated than people generally expect, especially tourists who are unfamiliar with the laws. Challenges come up often.
Many crashes involve visitors, rental vehicles, or drivers from outside the territory. In a 2025 public safety update, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported active investigations into serious vehicle collisions across the territory. As of 2026, car accident cases in the Virgin Islands are still governed by territorial law instead of state law. That difference alone can change how a claim works from start to finish.
If you suffered an injury in a car accident in St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John, we can help. Our U.S. Virgin Islands car accident lawyers will walk you through the legal process and protect your rights.
Can I Sue a Hotel if I Slip and Fall on the Property in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
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:
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Wet or freshly cleaned floors without warning signs
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver in the US Virgin Islands?
Getting hit by a drunk driver changes your life in an instant. You might face serious injuries, medical bills, lost work time, and damage to your vehicle. In the US Virgin Islands, you can sue a drunk driver for the harm they caused you.
The Virgin Islands takes drunk driving and car crashes seriously. Understanding your rights under USVI law helps you know what to expect when pursuing a case against a drunk driver. Our US Virgin Islands personal injury attorney can help you with your claim.
What Can You Recover in a Lawsuit Against a Drunk Driver?
Virgin Islands law allows you to recover several types of damages when a drunk driver injures you. These damages are meant to make you whole again after the accident.
Medical Expenses
Who’s Liable for Tourist Injuries During Island Evacuations?
On average, the U.S. Virgin Islands face a major storm every four to six years. A direct hurricane hit happens about every eight years. Nearby hurricanes pass the islands roughly every three years and often cause some damage. These are just averages. In September 2017, two Category 5 hurricanes — Irma and Maria — hit the islands only weeks apart.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The worst storms usually happen in August and September. When a hurricane or tropical storm hits the Virgin Islands, resorts, tour companies, and ferry operators rush to move people to safety. During this chaos, people can get hurt. Slippery stairs, falling debris, overcrowded ferries, or poor warnings can all lead to injuries.
Who is responsible for these injuries? Understanding how the law works during a declared disaster is important. Visitors need to know who owed them a duty of care and whether that duty was broken. A skilled St. Croix personal injury lawyer can explain your rights, gather evidence, and help you build your case. Your attorney will work to protect your health, your finances, and your future.
Can I Sue a Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands for Food Poisoning?
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.

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