One of the most common pests that can be found in almost any corner of the planet is bed bugs. This annoying pest is persistent, hard to get rid of, and can leave lasting consequences on both your wallet and your health.
Unfortunately, Virginia Beach is one of the places where bed bugs can easily be found, especially in hotels and similar kinds of accommodation.
If you’ve encountered bed bugs in Virginia Beach because of negligent hotel staff or a negligent landlord, you might be eligible for compensation. It’s in your best interest to contact a Virginia Beach Bed Bug Lawyer to see if they can help.
Do I Have a Bed Bug Infestation in Virginia Beach?
It’s essential to determine whether or not you have a bed bug infestation at all before you contact a Virginia bed bug lawyer.
Adult bed bugs can grow to be the size of an apple seed, so they’re easily visible to the naked eye. The problem is, however, that they tend to hide during the day unless it is an extreme infestation. They’re typically red-brown, so they’re easy to distinguish.
If you haven’t seen an adult bed bug, but still suspect that there is an infestation, you can look for newly hatched bugs or their eggs. The newly hatched bugs are much smaller and will be almost transparent. The eggs will be white and smaller still, but seeing how they’re always in a cluster, you will be able to notice them quickly.
Where Can I Find Bed Bugs?
As mentioned, no location is immune to bed bugs, and you can find them in towns and cities across Virginia. Because of the constant commotion and people traveling through, hotels and motels are the most vulnerable to bed bug infestations. However, these pesky creatures can also be found in apartment buildings, theaters, cinemas, office buildings, furniture stores, cars, etc.
Bed bug infestations are often a sign of simple negligence. While it’s difficult to prevent bed bugs from popping up, a full-blown infestation can rather easily be prevented.
Regular vacuuming, cleaning, and upkeeping of hygiene are crucial. Hotels should be regularly changing the sheets and inspecting every nook and cranny of their rooms and facilities.
When you stay in a hotel in Virginia Beach, it would be in your best interest to look for signs of an infestation before you settle into your room.
Due to their name, there is a common misconception that bed bugs can only appear solely in beds, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. When you’re inspecting your room, you should do a thorough check-in of every dark and warm place. This includes:
- Beds
- Mattresses
- Headboards
- Nightstands
- Closets
- Chairs
- Carpets
- Furniture
The biggest problem is that bed bugs can be transported from your hotel room to your home and cause havoc there. It’s always best to be cautious and look for signs of infestation before it gets out of hand.
Identify Bed Bug Bites
Identifying and documenting bed bug bites can be extremely beneficial to your potential claim. The bites will typically be less than a quarter of an inch in size. They’ll be swollen and extremely itchy.
The most distinctive characteristic of a bed bug bite is that it’s rarely just a single bite. Bed bug bites will typically be arranged in a cluster or a rough line, and they’ll most likely appear on your arms and legs because these are the most commonly exposed areas of your body.
Consequences of Bed Bug Infestations
Bed bugs in Virginia Beach won’t usually have a hugely detrimental effect on your health… However, different people have different levels of sensitivity to bed bug bites, and what’s just an irritating itch to you can cause an allergic reaction in some, even leading to anaphylactic shock.
Not to mention that bed bugs are known as pathogen carriers, and some can even transmit dangerous diseases to humans.
Besides the health-related consequences, bed bugs can cause hefty financial issues to those who encounter them. Treating bed bug bites typically requires a visit to the doctor’s office and a prescription for topical medication.
Many will have to take time off work to deal with the infestation. Should the bugs be transported from your Virginia Beach hotel room to your home, you’ll likely have to schedule an extermination with a licensed pest control specialist, which can be expensive.
Filing a Claim Against the Negligent Party
If you’ve suffered bed bug bites or your home has been infested with bed bugs after staying at a Virginia Beach hotel, you should contact a bed bug lawyer to see how we may be able to help.
Of course, it will be difficult to file a claim against the negligent hotel staff if you have no proof. If you’ve encountered bed bugs at a hotel, it’s essential to collect as much evidence as you can. Take pictures of the bed bugs, if possible, save all of your medical bills if you had to receive treatment for bed bug bites, keep all the receipts of bed bug extermination, and more.
Whatever piece of evidence you can get will only help support your potential claim. Your Virginia Beach bed bug attorney can help you collect the evidence and put together your case.
Virginia Bed Bug Lawyers Are Here to Help
Our Virginia Beach representatives may be able to handle your bed bug case during pre-litigation attempts to resolve your dispute. If we believe you have a case, we will help you with evidence collection and negotiate with the responsible third party.
If you file a claim against a Virginia Beach hotel because of a bed bug infestation, you’ll be glad to know that most cases that hold ground will be settled outside the courtroom. Our lawyers can potentially help you receive the proper compensation for your troubles.
Reach out to us today 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 only. 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 can work with local counsel upon the execution of a new agreement.