Can You Sue a Hotel for Bed Bugs?

You can sue a hotel for bed bugs depending on your situation. For example, if you suffered harm due to a bed bug infestation while staying at a hotel, you can sue if the hotel’s actions or inactions resulted in harm. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

When You Can Sue a Hotel for Bed Bugs

Most states have premises liability laws that require all property owners and occupants to ensure their property is safe for guests. The exact requirements for property owners and occupants regarding bed bugs may vary based on the specific laws in your state. However, generally, property owners must take measures to prevent harm or warn guests of a dangerous condition to prevent someone from getting hurt.

These rules apply to bed bugs as they do to other potentially dangerous conditions, such as wet floors or inadequate security. If a hotel owner, manager, or other staff failed to take adequate measures to prevent bed bugs or remedy an existing infestation, they might be liable for your injuries.

Damages Available in Hotel Bed Bug Cases

If you suffered injuries from a bed bug infestation at a hotel, the damages you can request will depend on your losses and injuries. Generally, you can seek compensation for bed bugs at a hotel only if you have injuries. The existence of bed bugs usually is not enough to constitute legal action.

However, if you have verifiable injuries or other losses because of a hotel’s bed bug infestation, you may be able to seek a range of damages. Your settlement may include compensation for the following:

• The cost of all medical treatment you needed because of the hotel’s bed bug infestation
• Property damage, including luggage, clothing, and other items the infestation damaged
• A home inspection to determine if you transported the bed bugs from the hotel to your home
• Removal services for your home if you find bed bugs in your home during the inspection
• The cost of a hotel or other accommodations while you work on removing the bed bugs from your home
• Any other out-of-pocket expenses you incur as a direct result of the bed bugs

Depending on the facts of your case, you may also be able to seek compensation for less tangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment. A lawyer from our firm can help you determine which of these damages you can request if bed bugs hurt you during your hotel stay.

What do I Have to Prove to Sue a Hotel for Bed Bugs?

To prove a hotel is liable for your injuries and other losses due to a bed bug infestation, you will need to prove the hotel owner, manager, or other staff knew of the infestation and failed to take adequate measures to remedy the condition.

However, this can be challenging to prove in many cases. Therefore, another option is to gather evidence to show the hotel failed to take adequate measures during maintenance and inspection of the rooms to identify or prevent a possible infestation. This may be the best option for you to sue a hotel for bed bugs depending on the evidence available.

Evidence You May Need for Your Hotel Bed Bug Case

Due to the complex nature of these cases, you will want to gather as much evidence as possible. Evidence you may need to support your hotel bed bugs case include:

• Photos or videos of:
  • The bed bugs at the hotel
  • The hotel sheets
  • Your bites or scars
  • The bed bugs on your property
• Your medical records
• A copy of your report to the hotel
• Estimates for home inspections and treatment
• Invoices for alternate accommodations
• A detailed account of how you were affected by the infestation

The more evidence you can gather, the stronger you can make your case. An attorney from our firm can work with you to gather the evidence you need.

Understanding the Persistent Danger of Bed Bugs

Although bed bugs are not generally known to cause disease, they can lead to a host of issues for those dealing with an infestation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), bed bugs are considered a public health issue, potentially leading to:

• Allergic reactions
• Secondary infections
• Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia

The EPA also reports that getting rid of bed bugs can take several weeks and even months. That is why a hotel infestation can be particularly problematic. Guests may not immediately realize the presence of bed bugs and subsequently bring them back to their homes. Once this happens, injuries and other damages are unavoidable.

Contact Hammack Law Firm for Help with Your Hotel Bed Bug Case

The lack of specific laws to address bed bugs can make seeking compensation in a hotel bed bug case a complex task. However, an injury lawyer from Hammack Law Firm can explain your options during a free case evaluation.

Call us at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 to learn how we may be able to help if a bed bug infestation has hurt you at a hotel. We believe in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and want to help you recover financial compensation.