If you or a loved one sustained bed bug bites or other related damages due to a bed bug infestation, you may be able to seek compensation for these damages if you believe another person or business’s negligence caused the infestation. Our dependable team of lawyers can handle certain types of cases that occur in and around Antioch, California, along with many other cities in this state and throughout the country.
How to Determine if You’re Experiencing a Bed Bug Infestation in Antioch, California
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 Develop in Antioch
Bed bugs often travel between locations to find new food sources, which can lead many people in Antioch to be exposed to bed bugs and subsequent damages.
Many bed bug bite victims sustain these and other damages in hotels. These locations are often particularly vulnerable to infestations because of the number of guests who come through and the size of these facilities, along with negligent cleaning and inspection practices. Bed bugs frequently have the ability to feed on people while they sleep in hotel beds, spreading between rooms as they multiply and travel. Unfortunately, hotel staff at many hotels aren’t sufficiently trained to identify and eliminate bed bugs, leaving to bites and other damages.
Landlords, business owners, and hotel management may all be liable for damages resulting from bed bug infestations if they fail to properly identify and prevent infestations in their facilities. Professionals in these locations may be required to maintain a standard of care for residents, tenants, customers, and guests. If they allow an infestation to take place that was otherwise preventable through their actions, they may be liable for the subsequent damages.
How to Identify Bed Bug Infestations in Antioch
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 Compensation That Bed Bug Victims May Be Able to Recover in Antioch
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 Antioch, 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.