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 by hotel management, landlords, and others who fail to properly identify and eliminate bed bugs, causes infestations to spread.
If you believe that your home, apartment, or hotel room in Westminster, Colorado 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 Westminster, along with many other cities in Colorado and the rest of the U.S.
How to Determine if You’re Experiencing a Bed Bug Infestation in Westminster
If you sustained bed bug bites or see other signs of a bed bug infestation in a home, apartment, or hotel room, you may be able to recover compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages sustained due to the infestation.
It’s possible for bed bug infestations to develop in any location as long as food is available in the form of blood meals from people. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t require a filthy environment to thrive. If they have access to ample food supplies, bed bugs will be able to flourish.
How Bed Bug Infestations Can Spread Due to Negligence in Westminster
Bed bugs can live anywhere if food is available, which means they can spread in hotels, apartments, or other locations where people reside. As a result, bed bugs can cause bites and other types of damages that cause harm to residents, tenants, and hotel guests.
Hotel owners and other hotel staff are frequently responsible for infestations. Like other professionals, hotel management and staff are required to maintain a consistent level of care for guests, keeping them safe from certain harms. If they fail to properly maintain hotel rooms and other spaces, or if they are aware of bed bug infestations but neglect to take the proper steps in eliminating them, this could lead to bites and other damages to guests.
If hotel owners, landlords, or others are deemed responsible for damages related to a bed bug infestation, victims may be eligible to recover compensation, which could require responsible parties to pay for the damages.
How to Identify Bed Bug Infestations in Westminster
People staying in hotels or at home can identify bed bugs on the premises in a number of ways to determine if they’re experiencing an infestation.
One of the most obvious signs of an infestation are bed bug bites, which can appear as small, red, itchy bumps that may resemble those of other pests. Some people suffer severe allergic reactions to bed bug bites which can result in swelling at the location of the bed bug bites and secondary infection. You may also be able to see adult bed bugs, which are small and apple-seed-shaped. White eggs that look like small pills and sheddings may also be visible, or feces in the form of brown or black spots on bedding or other furniture may be present. If a bed bug has recently been feeding on your skin, you may also locate blood spots.
Be sure to check bedding and other nearby furniture, as bed bugs often hide and wait for the perfect opportunity to feed when people are sleeping. A centralized area of black spots on a mattress is indicative of a bed bug nest and could mean the room has or recently had a severe bed bug infestation.
Once you’ve spotted any evidence of a bed bug infestation, take photos and capture video recordings, which you may be able to use to build a case.
Types of Damages Recoverable for Bed Bug Bites in Westminster
If bed bugs are given the chance to spread and cause any damage because of another party’s negligence, victims may be able to recover compensation for related damages such as injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Some of the specific damages for which victims may be able to recover compensation include:
- Medical bills
- Furniture replacements
- Lost wages resulting from time taken off from work to recover
- Replacements for damaged personal belongings, including clothing
- Professional extermination costs
Some possible non-monetary damages may include:
- Psychological distress
- Social isolation
- Insomnia or other similar symptoms
- Embarrassment that the incident caused
If you would like to find out whether you have a bed bug case resulting from an incident in Westminster that our office may be able to assist with, contact our bed bug attorneys to discuss your potential case in a free consultation.
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.