Bed Bug Settlements: What You Need to Know

Bed Bugs are a species of parasitic insects, with the Common Bed Bug (also known as Cimex lectularius), being the main culprit of the majority of bed bug interactions in the United States. Bed bugs feed entirely on the blood of warm-blooded animals and, unfortunately, humans are definitely on the menu.

Where do bed bugs hide?

These annoying pests are located all over the world—including the United States—and they may be found hiding in items as common as clothing, carpets, chairs, couches, cracks or crevices in the walls, and even electrical outlets. As their name implies, however, bed bugs are most often found in beds, specifically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. They have also been known to inhabit pillows.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Bed bug bites often form line-shaped or zig-zag-shaped patterns on the body. While bed bug bites rarely transmit diseases to their human hosts, their bites can still inflict a lot of discomfort and the side effects of bed bug bites can be severe, including:

• Skin Irritation / Redness
• Itchy Skin
• Localized Pain at the Bite Site
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Skin Patches

When in the presence of bed bugs, such as an infested hotel room, bites will usually occur from multiple bugs at one time. What’s even scarier is that you are most likely to receive these bites while you’re sleeping in bed!

Is it possible to sue for bed bug bites?

If you or a loved one have been bitten by bed bugs, it is possible that you might be able to file a lawsuit in an effort to secure monetary compensation for your personal injury damages. Legal suits surrounding bed bug bite injuries are incredibly common, with apartment building landlords and hotels being the most common defendants.

If you have evidence of a possible bed bug infestation in your apartment or house, you should always contact your landlord or complex manager in writing before filing a lawsuit. After receiving your written concerns, it is the responsibility of your landlord to hire an experienced exterminator to search for bed bugs and eliminate them if any are found. 

What should I do if I find bed bugs?

If you notice bed bug bite patterns on your body and see live bed bugs or find evidence of bed bugs—such as rusty, reddish to black spots on your sheets—then you should immediately begin documenting your findings. That includes taking detailed pictures of any bite sites on your body. Once you’ve documented your injuries, let the person you believe is responsible for the bed bugs know as soon as possible.

Typically, a landlord or hotel owner will be allowed a certain period of time to attempt to rectify the problem. However, some states offer immediate remedies against landlords or hotel owners who already knew about the bed bug issue, but failed to effectively deal with it.

It is also important to be aware that the courts will often hold a guest or tenant liable for not informing a responsible party of a bed bug infestation, so make sure you alert your landlord or hotel manager as soon as possible if you suspect an infestation. This stands true even if you continue to live in the infested space without mentioning it. This liability on a tenant or guest comes from the duty of a person to attempt to limit damages.

What damages might I recover from a bed bug injury lawsuit?

Damages that may be recoverable from a bed bug bite injury will differ by case, state, and the responsible party. However, victims of bed bug bite injuries will usually be able to recover for the following damages:

• Medical Costs—related to the treatment of your bed bug injuries)
• Moving Costs—related to moving out of an infested apartment or rental home, or needing to live somewhere else while your residence is being treated)
• Reimbursement Costs—to reimburse a tenant who hired a bed bug exterminator
• Hotel Costs—related to a hotel stay, such as room charges
• Destruction of Property—costs related to destruction of personal property due to the infestation, including money spent on clothes, furniture, or other property ruined by the infestation or treatment of bed bugs

As mentioned above, local state laws may allow for extra damages against a landlord or hotel owner related to bed bugs. A skilled personal injury lawyer with experience handling bed bug claims will be able to help you determine which damages you may be entitled to recover from a lawsuit and what your total settlement may amount to.

Bed Bug Settlement Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been bitten by what you suspect are bed bugs and you have suffered as a result of your wounds, contact an experienced bed bug personal injury attorney near you to examine the evidence and determine whether you have a viable case for a monetary settlement or judgement in your favor. Finding an expert bed bug attorney in your area is as simple as answering a few questions about your case, which you can start right here: Find a Bed Bug Lawyer Near Me