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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 Posted on May 16, 2019 in Personal Injury

If you or a loved one is injured while on vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, here are four steps you should take: (1) get medical care, (2) document the incident, (3) determine who was at fault, and (4) obtain local legal assistance before accepting any settlement from an insurance company or other responsible parties.

1. Obtain Medical Treatment and Diagnosis of Your Injuries

First, seek medical attention and determine the severity of your injuries. If your injuries are severe enough that recovery will cost thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages, perhaps leaving you with permanent dysfunction or disfigurement, you will definitely want to explore options for compensation.

2. Document the Personal Injury Incident

Once the immediate medical emergency has been handled, take the time to document the incident. Obtain the names and contact information of everyone involved, including eyewitnesses and medical professionals. Take photographs of the area where the accident happened, any equipment or vehicles involved, and your injuries. Write down everything you can remember about the incident, including dates and times. These details can be easily lost in the aftermath of an emergency but will be crucial to proving your right to compensation.

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