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 the situation. In many cases, negligence causes infestations to get out of control 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 Berkeley, California 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 through the help of a bed bug lawyer. Our experienced attorneys can handle certain types of cases that occur in Berkeley, along with many other cities in California and the rest of the U.S., on a pre-litigation basis.
What Caused a Bed Bug Infestation in Berkeley?
If a bed bug infestation is allowed to develop in a hotel room or home and you sustain bites or other related damages, you may have the ability to recover compensation from liable parties.
Bed bugs are able to thrive in nearly any space as long as they have the chance to feed on people nearby. Even if a space is regularly maintained, bed bugs can still spread if they can feed and aren’t exterminated.
How Bed Bug Infestations Can Spread in Berkeley
Bed bugs have the ability to travel to any location where they can feed. Subsequently, both residents and visitors in Berkeley may be susceptible to bed bug bites and other damages whether at home or staying at a hotel.
Hotels are frequently where bed bug infestations take place due to the number of people staying in these facilities and the negligence of many hotel owners and management staff. Bed bugs can quickly spread throughout a room and transfer to multiple rooms, making it even harder to eliminate them and prevent them from continuing to spread. Failure to identify and exterminate these pests in hotels can leave guests vulnerable to bites and other damages, making hotel staff and owners responsible in many cases.
If someone is found responsible for an infestation, they may be liable for related damages, requiring them to pay compensation to victims.
How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation in Berkeley
There are multiple ways to identify a bed bug infestation in your hotel room, home, or apartment.
One clear sign of an infestation are bites, which you may find on your body in the form of small, red, itchy bumps. In certain circumstances, they may seem similar to other types of bites, which is why it often helps to find other evidence of bed bugs in the area. Other times, bed bug bites can cause a severe allergic reaction resulting in painful swelling and oozing.
Regardless of the severity of injuries suffered, you should inspect your surroundings for signs of a bed bug infestation. You may be able to see adult bed bugs that are around the same shape, size, and color as apple seeds, or you may find small white eggs, or sheddings. If you locate an area on the mattress or box spring where several black spots are present, then you have probably found a bed bug nest. You may also see blood spots that appear red or brown on bedding and other furniture.
Try to look as thoroughly as possible in different areas where they may hide, including dark areas such as closet spaces or even behind picture frames. Once you spot any evidence, take photos and record video, which you may then be able to use to build a case.
Compensation That Bed Bug Bite Victims in Berkeley May Be Able to Recover
If you endured any bed bug bites as a result of an infestation, along with other related damages, you may be able to recover compensation.
Some of the monetary damages you may be able to recover in a bed bug case may include:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of extermination
- Prescriptions
- Lost wages
- The cost of replacing damaged belongings, including bedding
In addition, non-monetary damages could include:
- Social isolation
- Mental and emotional distress
- Embarrassment
- Insomnia and other similar symptoms
If you want help determining if you have a bed bug case resulting from an incident that occurred in Berkeley and want to find out if you can seek compensation through the help of our team, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our bed bug lawyers today.
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.