Recent Blog Posts
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Inadequate Security?
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.
When Your Vacation in the Virgin Islands Is Ruined by Car Accident
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
- 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.
When Is a Business Liable for a Slip-and-Fall Injury?
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:
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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.
How to Obtain Compensation for Injuries Caused by Long-Term Exposure to a Harmful Product
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.
What to Do if Injured While Vacationing in the U.S. Virgin Islands
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.