Over the years, more and more bed bug infestations and bite incidents have taken place in the U.S., including Fort Wayne and other cities in Indiana. These pests are a huge inconvenience for many individuals all over the country, and they often spread and infest homes, hotels, and businesses because of other parties’ negligence.
If you believe that you have sustained any injuries or other damages because of a preventable bed bug infestation and you suspect negligence was the cause, our dependable Fort Wayne bed bug injury attorneys may be able to represent you throughout the pre-litigation process to help you seek compensation. In many cases, negligent hotel owners, landlords, or furniture store owners in Fort Wayne may be responsible for infestations.
How to Determine if You’re Experiencing a Bed Bug Infestation in Fort Wayne
If you endure any bed bug bites or identify an infestation in your home or hotel room, you may be able to recover damages for injuries and damages to personal belongings, as well as several out of pocket expenses.
A bed bug infestation can occur in any location and at any time, regardless of the cleanliness of the space. Many people erroneously believe that bed bugs thrive in filthy environments, but the truth is that they can flourish anywhere where people are present.
How Do Bed Bug Infestations Develop in Fort Wayne?
The main cause of bed bug infestations in many cases is another party’s negligence. Bed bugs can infest hotel rooms, homes, and many other locations where people are frequently present. In many cases, negligent hotel owners are responsible for infestations because of their failure to take the steps needed to prevent the spread of bed bugs in hotels, putting guests at risk of bites.
Negligent landlords may also allow bed bug infestations to manifest throughout entire apartment buildings by failing to properly treat and eliminate the problem, in the process claiming that tenants are responsible for bringing bed bugs home following their travels. While it’s certainly possible that tenants could bring home bed bugs from other locations, it is important to determine the extent of infestation in the apartment, look into any past issues at the property and evaluate whether or not you have been on any recent trips, or recently purchased or rented furniture, to make sure the proper negligent party is held accountable.
Negligent parties, whether hotel owners, landlords, or others, may be held liable and be required to cover monetary and non-monetary damages in bed bug cases where you can establish who is at fault.
What Are the Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in Fort Wayne?
When you suspect an infestation is taking place in the home, hotel room, or an apartment, you can look for certain signs that can help you identify these pests and their presence.
If you have sustained any bites, check for any marks that are small, red, and itchy without swelling, which may appear in a line or in clusters along the bite area. You may also be able to identify adult bed bugs by their small apple seed-like appearance, or you might see their eggs or sheddings. Blood spots from smashed bugs and excrement may also be visible in bedding or other furniture.
Bed bugs are very good at finding places to hide, so make sure you check all bedding, behind baseboards, around mattresses, or in other darker spaces where they may be hiding such as closets or in other furniture. If you spot any evidence, take photos or record video footage that you can then use as evidence in a case.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover with the Help of a Fort Wayne Bed Bug Attorney?
If a bed bug infestation takes place because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages.
Monetary damages may include a combination of lost wages, medical expenses for treatment, extermination costs, or the replacement of any furniture or other personal belongings. Meanwhile, non-monetary damages could include any pain and suffering endured such as psychological suffering, fear of future incidents, or social isolation resulting from the infestation.
To determine if you have a case, contact our team of dependable Fort Wayne bed bug lawyers for 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 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.