Instances of bed bug infestations and subsequent bites have increased and continue to increase. Bed bugs can be a huge inconvenience for many people as they spread and cause damage to belongings and harm to residents, guests, and customers, often because of negligence.
If you believe another party’s negligence is responsible for a bed bug infestation in your home or on your travels, our reliable bed bug injury lawyers in Saint Paul, Minnesota, may be able to represent you during the pre-litigation process if negligence was the cause of the infestation. You may be able to recover compensation with the help of our lawyers whether you’ve suffered damages because of negligent hotel owners, landlords, or store owners in Saint Paul.
How Can I Tell if I Have a Bed Bug Infestation in Saint Paul?
If you sustain any bed bug bites or identify an infestation of bed bugs in your hotel room or home, you may be able to recover damages if you have the ability to prove that negligence was the cause of the infestation.
A bed bug infestation can take place in any location where people are present, regardless of the area’s cleanliness. Contrary to what many people believe, bed bugs don’t necessarily live in filth. As long as plenty of food is available, bed bugs can make their home anywhere.
How Do Bed Bugs Wind Up in Saint Paul?
Negligence is oftentimes the cause of bed bug infestations, as they can spread throughout and live in many environments including hotel rooms, apartments, homes, and other locations where people frequent. Negligent parties such as hotel owners often neglect to take the necessary steps to prevent infestations in their establishments.
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. It is not uncommon for a landlord to be at fault for bed bugs in an apartment complex, so if you establish a long term problem at the property, or verify you have not been traveling and introducing new items into your home, you likely have a claim against the property ownership.
Negligent parties such as landlords and hotel owners may be responsible for covering monetary and non-monetary damages resulting from any infestations that they could have prevented.
What Are the Signs of Bed Bugs in Saint Paul?
If you suspect that bed bugs are infesting your home, apartment, or hotel room, there are some clear signs to look for that can help you identify bed bugs before you notify hotel staff or your landlord.
One of the initial signs to look for is any bites that you may have sustained, which will typically appear in a single line or in clusters along the bite area and may itch. You can also look for any signs of bed bugs such as adults that often look similar to apple seeds and are dark brown or pale, depending on when they last consumed a blood meal. White, pill-shaped eggs may also be visible, or sheddings might be present. Excrement or blood spots may also be visible on your bedding.
Regardless of the kind of evidence you spot, take photographs and record video evidence, which you will then be able to use to potentially develop a bed bug case with an attorney.
What Kinds of Damages Are Recoverable with a Saint Paul Bed Bug Lawyer?
If another party’s negligence results in a bed bug infestation at home, in a hotel room, or in an apartment, you may be able to seek compensation for the various types of damages that can occur.
Some of the monetary damages sustained may include:
- Prescriptions
- Medical treatments
- Lost wages due to time taken off from work for treatment or extermination
- Personal belongings and furniture replacement
- Extermination expenses
Non-monetary damages might include:
- Social isolation
- Embarrassment regarding the incident
- Psychological distress
- Any similar symptoms
If you would like to determine if you have a case, contact our team of experienced Saint Paul bed bug injury attorneys for a free consultation to discuss possible pre-litigation representation.
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.