Bed bugs can spread all over the U.S., regardless of the city or state. Bed bugs are also often difficult to eliminate and control once able to spread, especially if another person or entity’s negligence contributed to their spread. In many cases, negligence is the direct cause of infestations as hotel management, landlords, and others may fail to properly identify and eliminate bed bugs before they can spread.
If you believe that your home, apartment, or hotel room in Lakeland, Florida has experienced an infestation because of a third party’s negligence, and you or loved ones sustained bed bug bites or other related damages, it may be possible to seek compensation with a bed bug lawyer. Our experienced attorneys can handle certain types of cases that occur in Lakeland, along with many other cities in Florida and the rest of the U.S., depending on the circumstances.
What Caused an Infestation of Bed Bugs in Lakeland, Florida?
If a bed bug infestation had the chance to develop in your hotel room, apartment, or home, and you or a loved one sustained bites or other related damages, it may be possible to recover compensation.
Bed bugs are capable of thriving in nearly any location, so long as food supplies are available in the form of blood meals from people. Regardless of how clean or dirty a space is, the fact is that bed bugs can make their home anywhere if they can feed.
How Bed Bug Infestations Can Spread in Lakeland
Bed bugs frequently travel between locations in search of new food supplies. Subsequently, many visitors and residents in Lakeland may be vulnerable to bed bug bites and other related damages due to an infestation.
Hotels are frequently susceptible to bed bug problems. Many people stay at hotels on a regular basis, which presents many chances for bed bugs to thrive. This is why it’s necessary for hotel staff and owners to regularly check for and prevent the spread of bed bugs. Many of these locations don’t have sufficient training or protocols in place to mitigate bed bugs, and staff may go unaware of infestations. Even if they are made aware of an infestation, they may not take the necessary steps to eliminate them, which allows them to spread between rooms and cause harm to guests.
If hotel management or staff, landlords, or others are found to be responsible for bed bug bites and other damages because of their negligence, they may need to cover these damages.
Steps for Identifying Bed Bugs in Lakeland
If you believe that a bed bug infestation has developed in your home, apartment, or hotel room, you can accurately identify these pests in several ways.
One of the most obvious signs of an infestation is a group of bites that appear in a small line or cluster around the bite area. In most cases, these bites will appear as small itchy red bumps that resemble other bites. However, some people may develop swelling or pus if they are allergic to bed bugs, which may lead to a secondary infection. In addition to bites, you may also see other evidence of bed bugs in the form of adults that closely resemble apple seeds, white pill-shaped eggs, sheddings, or red or brown spots on bedding or other furniture.
Make sure you check in as many areas as possible where bed bugs are prone to hiding, including behind furniture, picture frames, and other objects. Be sure to capture photographs and video footage of any evidence you spot. With the help of a lawyer, you may be able to use this evidence to support your case.
Types of Compensation That Bed Bug Victims May Be Able to Recover in Lakeland
You may have the chance to recover compensation for bed bug bites and other related damages resulting from an infestation if you believe another negligent party was responsible. Our lawyers provide representation during the pre-litigation process in certain bed bug claims to help collect and organize evidence in an effort to recover the compensation victims deserve.
Some potential damages that bed bug victims may be able to recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time off from work
- Expenses for replacing bedding and other damaged personal belongings
Bed bug bite victims may also be able to seek compensation for non-monetary damages resulting from an infestation, including pain and suffering in the form of psychological distress. In extreme cases, insomnia could also result out of fear of repeat experiences.
To learn whether you have a bed bug case our office can assist with resulting from an incident that occurred in Lakeland, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our bed bug lawyers.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. This firm handles claims nationwide on a pre-litigation basis. Some attorneys are not licensed to practice in certain jurisdictions. Although most bed bug cases resolve without a lawsuit, should one need to be filed in a jurisdiction the firm is not authorized to practice, our lawyers work with local counsel upon the execution of a new agreement.