How to Sue a Hotel for Bed Bugs and Bed Bug Bites

You’re out on vacation and enjoying yourself. Taking in new sights and sounds is fun, although you feel tired at the end of the day.

You head back to your hotel room and lay down to rest for a while…only to be awoken later by small bites on your body. Much to your dismay, you have bed bugs in your room.

This is becoming more common, with 97% of bed bug cases occurring within the previous year.

Is there anything you can do? Believe it or not, it’s possible to sue. Learn more and see how you can handle this problem if you run into it on your next vacation.

Collect Proof of Bed Bugs in Your Room

If you’ve already gotten bed bug bites or you see them crawling around in your room, now is the time to collect proof. Start off by taking pictures of any bites on your body (or anyone else who is staying in your room).

Check out your bed, box spring, or bedding. Take note if you see any bugs crawling around, or even if you notice larvae.

Pictures or video are essential. Use a smartphone or any technology that allows you to take pictures (or video) and show proof that bed bugs are in the room.

Remove Your Belongings and Keep Them Safe

The next step is to remove your belongings from the bed bugs as quickly as possible. If you have anything in closets or drawers, take them out, comb through them, shake them out, and make sure there are no bugs in or around your items.

Get your items washed before taking them back home in order to kill the bed bugs. Once in your home, bed bugs can do significant damage, ruining your furniture and other items. It’s not uncommon for folks to throw out everything in their home if they’ve become infested with bed bugs.

Since you’re not trying to encourage further problems transporting bed bugs home or even on public transportation, such as a plane, it’s worth consulting with a professional to find out about the best course of action to take.

Contact the Local Department of Health and Hotel Management

Now that you have evidence and have your things in a safer place, it’s time to notify people about what’s going on. Start by contacting the hotel management right away.

They’ll want to know details, such as if you got bit, what happened, along with any proof you happen to have of the bugs. If necessary, escalate the problem to the hotel’s upper management (this might include calling the chain in some cases, if you’re staying at one).

Tell the hotel management you want a different room for the rest of your stay. Ask for any items that stayed with you in the room to get treated as well.

During this time, the local health department should make a visit, but you can also call them yourself if you’d prefer. Health departments take note of when there are bed bug complaints in the area.

As with any case that involves your health, keep careful records of dates, times, and who you spoke to about what matters. This can include hotel staff,  the health department, and anyone who wants to talk to you about your situation.

Get Help From a Lawyer

Now that you’ve made everyone aware of your situation, it’s time to take charge by seeking help from a lawyer. Find one in the area and make them aware of the situation and what’s going on.

They can advise you of what steps to take, how long it can take for your case to go to court, and what you can expect if the hotel tries to settle out of court. Knowing this information and having a professional in your corner can make it a lot easier than trying to guess what to do next.

If you seek help from an attorney, the hotel will quickly realize that you mean business, and try to work with you and appease you as much as possible. Since bed bug cases vary based on injury and what happened, talk with your lawyer to get a better idea of what you’re entitled to.

Check out this info if you’re still seeking professional help.

Find Out If You Need Medical Attention

Bed bug bites can cause pain, irritation and even exacerbate skin conditions. If you’re not feeling well after your incident and you notice problems in relation to where you got bit, it’s important to seek a doctor’s care right away.

Doing so can prevent bigger problems from developing and ensure you’re in as little pain as possible. If you do need the care of a doctor, make sure to save all receipts and bills showing what treatment was needed, a diagnosis, and what you paid for.

This can get treated as a personal injury case, and you have the possibility of getting compensation for your health issues. If you’re trying to find the right lawyer to meet your needs, check out what to look for in a personal injury attorney.

Learn More

Dealing with bed bugs during a hotel stay can feel overwhelming and scary. By utilizing these steps, you can protect yourself and your belongings while seeking legal advice.

Did you get injured while you were out shopping and you’re wondering if there’s anything you can do about it? Check out our blog and learn how to handle yourself if you got injured on a shopping trip