Have you been a victim of bed bugs found in your hotel room? Are you interested in filing a lawsuit against the location for its negligence? Do you want to receive compensation for the trauma and unrest this incident has caused you? If so, you’ve come to the right place to learn what you need to do.
Bed bugs are pervasive and pose a hazard to anyone who comes in contact with the infestation. If the hotel management doesn’t seem to be interested in the problem, you may be able to get help from a lawyer to reach a settlement. Below we will walk you through the steps of your litigation.
Standard Bed Bug Litigation
It’s important to know what you need to make a strong case before starting litigation. But first, you need to make the management and staff aware of the problem and wait for their response. They may be willing to give you reimbursement for your pain and trouble. If that’s enough, you don’t have to start a legal case. You aren’t guaranteed to win a lawsuit even with evidence.
However, the right lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve if they are unwilling to make up for the negligence they caused.
Bed Bug Lawsuits Against Hotels
To make a case for a lawsuit, you need to have the proper documents. This requires written documentation that you were at the hotel when the bed bugs were there. You can start a case in search of a settlement for:
- Property that was lost or damaged.
- The cost of relocating.
- The cost of replacing property to extract the pests.
- Efforts made to starve the pests to get rid of them.
- Compensation for personal injury.
- Compensation for attorney fees.
- Lost wages.
How to File a Bed Bug Lawsuit
Suing a hotel for bed bugs comes down to whether or not you can prove negligence. To do this, you will need to prove that:
- The hotel owners failed to acknowledge or deal with the infestation properly
- The premises wasn’t properly inspected by management and staff.
Make sure to take pictures of everything. Document any pictures of the bugs, bites, scarring, and property damage. These pests are evasive and can be hard to track down. Get in touch with a lawyer that can help you assemble all of the necessary evidence to build a strong lawsuit.
If you have bites, they are not just annoying. They are considered injuries in the eyes of the law. These bites can cause pain and suffering, which is enough to file a lawsuit itself. If you have been bitten multiple times or get sick, you can sue using a personal injury lawyer to strengthen your case.
Bed bugs pose a significant health risk. Your lawyer can help you determine what state and local health laws have been violated to give you a case. All of the information you can collect before making it to court will provide you with the best chance of receiving the compensation you need.
Typical Hotel Bed Bug Settlement
You may be eligible for reimbursement if you suffered minor damages that the hotel managers are willing to cover upfront. If you want litigation, the managers will have to negotiate an amount that is appropriate for the damages and loss their negligence has caused. A court judge will decide the settlement amount.
The amount of money awarded to a victim in a hotel bed bug lawsuit depends on many factors, including the extent of the damages, losses, personal injury, the extent of the infestation, and whether they made it back home with you or stayed in the room.
Hotel Call Recording Settlement
It’s illegal for hotels to record the calls of their customers. A call recording settlement can result in a large sum paid to the victims to resolve allegations of recording sensitive information. In this case, reimbursement for the violation of your privacy is not enough. There is a chance the hotel will deny the allegations and agree to settle the lawsuit without further litigation.
Hotel Negligence Settlements
Proving negligence can give you a strong case for your litigation. Negligence is when the hotel is found guilty of failing to keep the premises free of an infestation or failure to alert guests to a known infestation. The violation of keeping guests and their belongings safe is grounds for a lawsuit. The hotel may offer reimbursement, but that may not be enough for the damage you have suffered.
Settlement Vs. Compensation
A settlement is reached when a negotiated amount is paid to the plaintiff to alleviate the complaint made in court. This could be a reimbursement for the room and any other facilities used on the premises. Court recovered compensation is paid by the hotel if they are found responsible for the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get Bed Bugs From a Hotel?
Yes- A hotel room is one of the top places to encounter bed bugs. They are attracted to cloth and can be brought home with you in luggage or bedding.
Can a Hotel Be Shut Down For Bed Bugs?
Yes and no. A hotel isn’t required to shut down unless there is a significant infestation. However, some states require that rooms that were found to be infiltrated by bed bugs cannot be used by other guests until they are exterminated.
Can You Report a Hotel for Having Bed Bugs?
Yes- You should first make a report to the hotel staff. From there, you can request reimbursement for your stay or file a lawsuit if they are unwilling to correct the problem.
How Often Do Hotels Check for Bed Bugs?
There are no laws that require checks, so there is no way to estimate how often there are searches for unwanted pests in the rooms. The average hotel faces approximately five to seven infestations a year.
How Do Hotels Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
A hotel facing an infestation of bed bugs will contact a local pest control service to exterminate the unwanted pests from the affected rooms.
Take Action
When you are faced with a bed bug problem, don’t sit back and suffer. By taking action, you may be able to recover from your losses and injuries caused by a hotel’s negligence.
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