Bed Bugs

WHAT ARE BED BUGS

Bed bugs are tiny, reddish brown bloodsucking wingless insects that can infest your furniture, bedding, and clothing. They are hard to spot and can cause itchy, red bites on your skin. Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed. Cimex Lectularius (bed bugs) can range from 1mm to 7mm They hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboards, bed frames and other objects around a bed. Bed bugs will come out of hiding at night to bite unsuspecting humans. Bed bugs have been around for thousands of years and were common in Europe and North America until the mid-20th century when modern pesticides reduced their numbers. However, bed bugs have made a comeback in recent decades, due to increased travel, resistance to pesticides and lack of public awareness. Beg bugs are often found in hotels, apartments, dorms, and even in public places like cinemas and buses.

The good news is that bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, but the bad news is they can cause allergic reactions, skin infections, and psychological distress. It is important to understand that bed bugs are not a sign of poor hygiene or low social status they can affect anyone, anywhere. A bed bug can actually take up to 6 times its weight in blood during one feeding which can take around ten minutes.

The risk of a person encountering beg bugs is higher if you spend time in places where nighttime guest come and go often such as hotels, motels, or vacation rentals.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A BED BUG BITES

When a bed bug bites, they inject an anesthetic and an anti-coagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. Normally a person who has been bitten by a bed bug will not notice they have been bitten until the bite marks appear anywhere from one to several days after the initial bite. The bite marks from a bed bug are similar to that of a mosquito or flea and cause a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks caused by a bed bug may by random or appear in a straight line on a person’s skin. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from scratching of the bites. Allergic symptoms from bed bug bites can include enlarged bite marks, painful swelling at the bite site, and, on rare occasions, life-threatening reactions.

Bites from bed bugs can cause lasting skin damage in the form of permanent scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). PIH is caused by excessive production of melanin, the pigment which is responsible for dark skin, eyes, and hair. Increased melanin production occurs when melanocytes, or melanin producing cells, are stimulated. Melanocytes can be stimulated by skin inflammation- including skin inflammation from bed bug bites.

EFFECTS OF POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION (PIH)

Hyperpigmentation is physically harmless.  However, many patients suffer from ongoing emotional distress due to the visible changes in their facial appearance.  Children and juveniles who develop scars or who suffer from PIH because of bed bug bites may be bullied and excluded by their peers at school or daycare which can lead to depression and poor academic performance.  Teen and adult PIH patients may isolate themselves socially and shy away from fulfilling personal relationships, all because they are self-conscious about their skin. The financial impact of PIH can also be devastating to victims.   Patients who suffer from depression or anxiety as a result of PIH or skin scarring may seek out counseling or psychotherapy, which only adds to the financial burden.

WHAT COMPENSATION AM I ENTITLED TO FOR BED BUG BITES?

Every case is unique, and dependent of the particular facts of each case and the specific injuries suffered by each individual so there is no set dollar amount for all victims of beg bug bites.  If you have been bitten by bed bugs in a hotel or vacation rental and suffered a loss because of bed bugs, you may be eligible for damages, including:

  • All medical costs related to the bed bug bites, including emergency room costs, medication, treatments, antibiotics, and surgery costs.
  • Costs of future medical care, including costs related to rehabilitation and cosmetic surgery to reduce or eliminate scarring.
  • Damages for any lost wages from time missed at work to receive medical care or recover from injuries.
  • Damages for any loss of future income which are caused by an inability to travel including lost sales or commissions.
  • Pain and suffering due to severe bites, lack of sleep because of fear or PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, fear of sleeping in unfamiliar places, depression, emotional trauma, mental stress, and other emotional effects. Many people suffer from emotional distress as a result of scarring on their bodies caused by bed bug bites.
  • Property damage, including luggage and clothing that had to be destroyed and reimbursement for damaged or ruined upholstery, carpeting and bedding for infestations that were brought home with you. Damage to upholstery in your vehicle.
  • Reimbursement for the costs of fumigation and extermination.

WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE

While staying at a hotel or other vacation accommodations, you have certain rights, including:

  • The right to have safe, and clean accommodations.
  • The right to proper sanitation.
  • The right to not be intentionally harmed or placed in a position where you could be harmed by the negligence of the property owner or management company.

TIPS TO FOLLOW IF YOU FIND BED BUGS IN YOUR VACATION RENTAL OR HOTEL ROOM

  1. Always record all evidence of a bed bug infestation, including the bed bugs themselves and the bites they leave on everyone.
    Types of evidence to be collected for bed bug infestations can include pictures and videos of the bed bugs or bed bug spots found on the mattress, bed linens, headboards, furniture, carpet, curtains, or walls. If you are those you are traveling with were bitten you should take pictures of the bed big bites as well. Bed bug bites will show up on your skin as small red bumps and often form in a zigzagging pattern.
  2. Always report the bed bug infestation to the hotel staff and request that an injury or accident report be filled out.
    Document the names and titles of the employees you talk to about the bed bug infestation and what you reported.  The staff among other things should offer to move you to a non-infested room. In the incident report, make sure to document what evidence of bed bugs you saw, and where you saw the beg bugs in the room.
  3. Seek medical attention if necessary.
    Bed bug bites can cause severe allergic reactions, severe, intense, and constant itching as well as lead to bacterial infection such as cellulitis.  Bed bug bites can also cause hyperpigmentation, disfigurement, and scarring. For those who are highly allergic, beg bug bites can trigger severe reactions including anaphylactic shock. It is better to be safe than sorry and receiving medical care as soon as possible can help to reduce the risk of serious secondary complications. Documenting the injuries, you suffer from and your body’s reactions to bed bug bites is also helpful in seeking compensation for your injuries later.
  4. Never sign a release of claims with the hotel or vacation rental.
    The hotel may attempt to offer you compensation in the form of a free night’s stay, a gift card, a free dinner or other freebies and then ask you to sign a release of all of your claims. Although some of these offers might sound tempting you should know that if you accept them, the hotel owners will claim that you have been fairly compensated for your injuries, regardless of the amount of damages caused accrued after you check out.
  5. Record all economic and property damages.
    It is important to have an accurate record of the economic toll the bed bugs have taken on your life. This can include, but not be limited to, records of any personal property that was damaged by any resulting infestation you brought home, including your clothing, luggage, blankets, mattresses, furniture as well as carpeting and curtains. Record the costs of fumigation and extermination once you return home, if necessary, and you should keep receipts for the costs of any medical treatment, or medications and for the costs of replacing any personal items.