If you or your loved ones were bitten by bed bugs, you may be experiencing physical symptoms as a result of the bites. These symptoms can include anything from general skin irritation and discomfort to more severe symptoms such as allergic reactions, disease, or possible infection.
Whether you’re experiencing mild symptoms or something more severe, you should consider seeking medical treatment for your injuries. A doctor can help confirm the cause of your symptoms, and provide peace of mind about whether it could turn into something more serious.
It is especially a good idea to seek medical treatment if you’re pregnant, have diabetes, or have a compromised immune system, as these conditions can increase the risk of complications from bed bug bites.
Medical treatment is also crucial for your overall health and well-being. If you have been injured in a bed bug incident, it may be important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not think your injuries are serious.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent and can become more serious if left untreated. An example of this would be diseases transmitted by bed bugs that aren’t noticed right away. In fact, bed bugs are considered pathogen-carrying vectors, and have been shown to transmit Chagas disease, a disease that can vary from symptom-free to life-threatening.
Lastly, doctors, especially those who focus on skin conditions can diagnose your symptoms and treat skin damage from bed bug bites to hopefully prevent lifelong scarring or discoloration. Due to the severity of injuries someone can suffer from bed bug bites they may need stronger medications, which can be tough to determine without the help of a dermatologist.
Medical Treatment and Your Bed Bug Claim
Medical treatment is important for your bed bug personal injury claim because it can help establish two things.
- The extent of your injuries. This can be related to the number of bites, the severity of the physical symptoms, and the number of people bitten by bed bugs.
- The cause of those injuries. Evidence of a medical visit that contains a diagnosis of bed bug bites during or recently after the hotel stay can help establish that the infestation originated from the hotel.
It is also important for your personal injury claim to have an accurate and complete medical record. The patient record should document your injuries, treatment, and prognosis. This can also be used to illustrate how the injuries have affected your daily life and ability to work.
In addition to seeking medical treatment, it is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations and attend all scheduled appointments.
What Happens if You Don’t Seek Professional Medical Treatment?
A personal injury claim does require some level of injury, so if you don’t think your injuries are serious enough to see a doctor, it might not be worth seeking out a personal injury lawyer. The opposing side may not take your injuries seriously if you yourself do not take them seriously.
Among other forms of documentation and evidence, professional medical treatment can be used to support your claim and hopefully reduce the extent of long-term damages.
Other Reasons to Seek Medical Treatment For Bed Bugs
In some instances, you could be fully reimbursed for the cost of medical treatment. Some properties carry insurance that provides for medical payment coverage if you are able to establish you were injured at the property, and there are no exclusions or other factors barring this.
This may include the cost of medical treatments, such as ambulance transportation and emergency room care, as well as ongoing treatment, such as therapy or prescription medication.
To seek reimbursement for the cost of your doctor expenses, you will need to provide evidence of the treatment you received and the cost of that treatment. This can include copies of bills, receipts, and other supporting documents. You will also need to show that the treatment was for the injuries you sustained from an infestation at the property.
If you are successful in your personal injury claim, the at-fault party or their insurance company may be responsible for reimbursing you for the cost of your medical treatment and other damages.
If you know you need medical treatment, this is the time to do it. This is because once you settle the case, the opportunity for medical reimbursement is over. You will need to pay all medical expenses as they cannot be retroactively added to the case as damages.
If you wish to discuss your options further, please contact our office for a free consultation.
