Bed bugs can make their home in any city across the U.S., including Athens, Georgia. They’re often found in hotels, homes, and apartments when allowed to spread, often because of another party’s negligence.
If you or a loved one sustained any bed bug bites and other related damages because of a bed bug infestation and believe that another person or company’s negligence was behind it, you may be able to seek compensation. Our experienced bed bug attorneys can handle certain types of cases on a pre-litigation basis that occurred in Athens and many other cities in Georgia and the rest of the U.S. We may be able to help you seek compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages sustained because of an infestation.
How Bed Bug Infestations Can Develop in Athens, Georgia
Bed bugs are capable of traveling to and from nearly any location if they can get ahold of food supplies in the vicinity. Bed bugs mostly survive by feeding on human blood. Regardless of how clean a space is, bed bugs can thrive and spread almost everywhere. Because of their resilience, they are able to spread throughout homes and businesses in Athens and many other cities.
Hotels are among the most high-risk locations for bed bug infestations because of the number of guests who regularly stay in hotel rooms. While hotels should thoroughly inspect each hotel room between guests, improperly trained staff often neglect to check and don’t become aware of infestations as they begin to spread. Poorly trained staff may also not be sure how to get rid of an infestation upon discovery. Hotels may not have clear protocols or training programs in place to keep hotels free of bed bugs, which can allow for serious infestations in these businesses.
Landlords, hotel management, and other professionals are expected to maintain a certain level of care for tenants, guests, and customers, which may include preventing the spread of bed bugs. If these parties are deemed liable for bed bug infestations and related damages, they may have to compensate them.
Signs of Bed Bugs in Athens
If you believe your apartment, hotel room, or home is infested with bed bugs, there are some ways to determine if a location is experiencing an infestation of bed bugs.
Bed bug bites tend to appear in the form of a line or cluster of small itchy bumps in the bite area, or swelling and oozing may develop in people with allergic reactions to bed bug bites. You may also be able to see small red or brown adults that resemble apple seeds, along with sheddings, white eggs, or red or brown spots on bedding and other nearby furniture.
Bed bugs tend to hide, which makes it necessary to check behind headboards and other furniture to ensure bed bugs aren’t present. Once you’ve identified any evidence, take photograhs and video recordings, which you may be able to use as evidence in a potential case.
Types of Compensation That Victims May Recover in Athens
You may be able to seek compensation for damages resulting from bed bug infestations if you believe that negligence caused the infestation and damages. Our lawyers may be able to provide representation during the pre-litigation process to help you seek compensation for related damages sustained.
Some of the damages for which you may be able to recover compensation include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Costs of replacing bedding or other damaged furniture
It may also be possible to seek compensation for certain non-monetary damages such as pain and suffering that often result from an infestation. Pain and suffering may include both physical and psychological distress experienced as a result of bites and other damages. Insomnia is another condition that some bed bug victims experience out of a fear of repeat incidents.
To find out if you have a bed bug case our office can assist with resulting from an incident that occurred in Athens, connect with us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced 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.