Posted on March 16,2020 in Personal Injury

Many people enjoy seeing and experiencing other cultures throughout their lifetime. Traveling to a foreign destination can be an exciting but potentially dangerous adventure. The idea of going to an unfamiliar place can draw out the wanderlust in all of us, but many do not realize the danger that you can easily place yourself in by traveling to somewhere you have never been before. The U.S. Virgin Islands is a popular vacation spot for Americans and it has been regarded as a fairly safe beach haven for travelers. However, regardless of the popularity of the place that you are visiting, there is always the potential for dangerous encounters that result in severe or life-threatening injuries.

Security Issues

The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their remoteness and tranquility. Being away from the rest of the world can seem like a dream until you are thrown into an unsafe environment and do not know where to turn for help. Keeping in mind the following travel advice can help you avoid hazardous situations that you may encounter while abroad:

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 Posted on February 24,2020 in Car Accidents

Most people rent vehicles while on vacation to increase their mobility and allow them to see the sights without relying on public transport. With the remoteness of common vacation spots such as St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, many travelers will rely on car rental companies to enjoy their vacations to the fullest. It is fairly well known that auto rental companies charge high fees for any damage done to their vehicles, but what if you are not the one responsible for a collision and sustain injuries because of the actions of a negligent driver? It is important to understand the liability issues involved in rental car accidents and your options for pursuing compensation for any injuries suffered in a collision.

What Should I Do if I Have Been in a Crash?

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 Posted on January 03,2020 in Personal Injury

Many people who live or vacation near water own or rent boats. Although boating can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, especially in warm weather, it can also pose risks to everyone on the water. According to reports by the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2018, there were 4,145 recreational boating accidents that involved 633 deaths, 2,511 injuries, and approximately $46 million in damage to property. Any person who wishes to operate a watercraft in the U.S. Virgin Islands is required to complete a safety course. Despite this regulation, accidents can and do happen on the waterways. In some cases, the injuries can be life-threatening. That is why it is important to understand boating safety and what factors can lead to an accident. 

Watercraft Safety 

Even if all safety precautions are taken, it is impossible to control the weather or the actions of other boaters. Similar to driving a vehicle, the operator and occupants of a boat must be alert and aware of possible dangers when on the water. Regardless of whether a boat is a small or large vessel, everyone on board must wear life jackets for their safety in the event that an accident or bad weather causes the boat to capsize. Severe winds and high waves can limit visibility and result in a boat taking on a lot of water.  

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 Posted on December 17,2019 in Workplace Injuries

The job duties a worker performs on a daily basis can vary depending on the occupation. For example, an employee may have a “desk job” and work on the computer all day, or he or she may be a doctor or nurse in a hospital. A longshoreman, also referred to as a harbor worker, is a common occupation in areas or locations that are near or on the water. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, many residents are employed by shipping or docking companies. Typical jobs include cargo loaders, ship mechanics, shipbuilders, and people who work on the docks or piers. These harbor workers may be at risk for unique injuries, and they should be sure to understand if they are entitled to compensation and how to file a claim.

Common Types of Harbor Accidents and Injuries

Due to the nature of their jobs and where they are located, workers in the maritime industry face dangers that office workers would not. For instance, these individuals may be loading and unloading cargo or repairing ships in port. Longshoremen often use large and hazardous machines to lift heavy cargo while working on wet and slippery surfaces.

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 Posted on November 06,2019 in Workplace Injuries

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a beautiful location for tourists to visit and individuals to work. Due to the growing popularity of the islands, new construction projects are starting every day. Additional roads, hotels, restaurants, and attractions are constantly being added to meet tourism needs. However, many of the construction sites that are associated with these projects are linked to interchangeable workers, language barriers, inadequate time frames, improper training, and dangerous equipment. Carelessness and negligent behaviors in an already hazardous environment could lead to workplace injury.  

Workers’ Compensation Rights in the U.S. Virgin Islands

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, an employer must have workers’ compensation insurance coverage if the organization has more than one employee. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical and disability benefits to employees who suffer injuries in a workplace accident. If the employee accepts medical treatment and benefits through workers’ comp insurance after an injury, he or she forfeits the right to sue his or her employer. However, a worker can take legal action to cover the costs of medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering if the company does not have workers’ compensation coverage. Furthermore, the employer will be responsible for any additional fines and penalties.  

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 Posted on October 17,2019 in Personal Injury

A vacation is supposed to provide a person with a stress-free environment, relaxation, and an overall fun experience. Getting to see new places, try new foods and activities, and create long-lasting memories is why many people travel. However, a trip can take a turn for the worse if you or a loved one suffer an injury. Most commonly, a tourist-related injury can result from negligence, personal altercations, societal differences, car accidents, slip and fall accidents, or defective products. When an injury occurs far away from home, speaking to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible may provide clarification on the steps that should be followed. Before going on a vacation, it may be beneficial to consider the following safety tips:

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 Posted on September 04,2019 in Personal Injury

The Virgin Islands are one of the most beautiful places in the world. However, it is also a territory plagued with violent crime. In fact, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranks the Virgin Islands as the fourth highest in the world for homicides. Unfortunately, some vacations to these Caribbean islands are ruined after a tourist is assaulted or otherwise personally injured during a criminal act. Being attacked by another person while visiting a place far from home can be one of the most terrifying experiences a person can endure. Often, these tourist attacks could have been prevented if the hotel, resort, retail store, or other establishment in which the attack occurred had better security. If you or a loved one were injured in the Virgin Islands due to inadequate security, a premises liability lawsuit can allow you to pursue compensation for your damages.

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 Posted on August 24,2019 in Car Accidents

With tourism being the primary economic engine for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the islands welcome more than 2 million visitors each year. Along with this large number of tourists, the islands also get their share of car accidents. This is made worse by the fact that drivers on the islands must keep left, not to the right as they are used to if they come from the United States.

What to Do If Involved in a Car Accident in the Virgin Islands

1. Get Medical Attention: Even when there are no obvious injuries, you should visit a hospital. Many people walk away from an accident and fail to get medical attention – assuming they are not hurt – only to find out later they have suffered internal injuries, which are by then worse than they would have been if they had immediately sought medical attention.
   

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 Posted on July 03,2019 in Workplace Injuries

When someone slips and falls in a restaurant, shop, or other place of business, they can suffer serious harm such as broken bones, back and neck injuries, or brain trauma. If this happens to you, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses not covered by your own health insurance, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

However, not every slip-and-fall will be awarded compensation. You have to have evidence that the business owner was negligent in their duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for their customers. 

Business Owner Negligence Is Necessary for Slip-and-Fall Claims

Consider these scenarios that might happen at a Virgin Islands resort:

• Being too focused on the beautiful scenery in front of you, you trip on the stairs leading down to the beach and fall, breaking your wrist. Because you were not paying attention to where you were going, the accident is your own fault. You can expect the business owner to take a full report, photograph the area where you fell, interview witnesses, and argue that they did nothing wrong. 

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 Posted on June 17,2019 in Defective Products

Consumers have a right to expect that the products sold to them by leading manufacturers are safe for use as directed. When a manufacturer fails to live up to that expectation, and a consumer is harmed by a hazardous or defective product, the consumer has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer seeking compensation for the harm done to them.

Personal Injury Lawsuits Involving Hazardous Products

Obtaining compensation through a personal injury lawsuit can be a lengthy and costly process. In some cases, it is only after years or even decades of use that the danger of a product is realized. First, someone must start to suspect a link between a certain product and a particular illness or injury. After that, it may take years for scientists to identify the specific toxic chemical or design defect in the product and then to prove the causal connection between the product and the illness. At least one costly lawsuit must usually be fought before a hazardous product’s manufacturer can be made to take responsibility and pay compensation to consumers who were injured by the product. After one case is tried and won, it finally becomes easier for others to obtain compensation for similar injuries caused by the same product.

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