American Furniture Warehouse is a chain of furniture sellers that are known for competitive pricing on beds, sofas, tables, dressers, and other items to make your house a home. The company does much of their business online, though you can also visit a furniture showroom and pick out pieces in person.
Did you purchase furniture from American Furniture Warehouse that was infested with bed bugs? Were you injured from bed bug bites and related complications because of the infestation? Did you end up having to throw away clothes and other personal belongings because of bed bugs that were brought into your home by American Furniture Warehouse? If so, you may be interested in filing a bed bug claim and receiving compensation from the furniture seller.
If you would like more information on suing for damage caused by bed bugs, don’t hesitate to get in touch, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Important Facts about Bed Bugs
Many of us are familiar with household pests like ants and beetles, but not many people are able to recognize the signs of bed bugs on the property. These are tiny, red or brownish insects that feed on the blood of people and animals. As they are nocturnal, they normally attack at night, and in the morning, the victim wakes up to find a line or cluster of red, itchy bites on their body.
Because the bites are so itchy, victims are likely to prod or scratch the area, and this can lead to serious infections and disfiguring scars. Some people can end up with severe, potentially fatal allergic reactions from the saliva of bed bugs.
It’s also worth noting that bed bug infestations are difficult to spot, as the insects usually come out at night. They also hide in places you normally forget to check, like couch cushions, mattress, behind picture frames, in drawers, and pieces of luggage.
Along with heath complications from bed bug bites, an infestation can cause significant psychological trauma. Many victims have sleep disorders, severe anxiety, and other mental health issues that require therapy. Bed bugs can also contaminate clothing, toys, furniture, curtains and beddings, and other valuables that you have to throw away.
Bed Bugs at Furniture Stores
People normally do not think about bed bugs when they walk into a furniture store to browse or look for the latest addition to their home. However, it’s very easy for bed bugs to hide within furniture that sits in warehouses for weeks or months, and it’s the innocent customer that suffers when these critters infest their homes.
Within days of receiving your delivery from American Furniture Warehouse, you may notice the following indications of bed bugs:
- Itchy and red welts on your arms, legs, and other areas of the body
- Blood stains from bed bug bites on your bedding (red or rust-colored spots)
- Dark spots or smears (fecal matter from bed bugs)
- Bed bug skins that are shed by adult insects
- Oval-shaped, yellowish or cream-colored eggs
- A sweet, musty odor
Liability by American Furniture Warehouse for a Bed Bug Infestation
A bed bug infestation is the last thing on most people’s minds when they excitedly wait for the delivery of new furniture. So, if the items you purchased from AFW are infected with bed bugs, is the company liable for the harm you suffered?
Yes, American Furniture Warehouse may be held responsible for any injuries and loss of property to you and your family. This is based on the fact that furniture sellers have a duty to ensure the safety of the products they sell. Thus, if a customer is injured by a defective or unsafe item sold by the store, the business owner can be sued for monetary compensation.
If you purchased beg bug infested furnishings from AFW, make sure to contact our office immediately. We are happy to provide you with a free case review, where you can learn about your rights and legal options.
Monetary Damages in a Bed Bug Infestation Claim
Depending on your level of harm and suffering, you may be entitled to various categories of payments from a lawsuit against American Furniture Warehouse. Possible damages that we can bring you from a bed bug injury claim include:
- Medical expenses for the treatment of bites and associated complications, including therapy for mental health disorders
- Lost wages from the time missed at work because of your medical needs
- Extermination services you were forced to pay for
- Property damage caused by bed bugs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages in court cases where a jury find the defendant guilty of gross negligence
How Long Do I have for a Bed Bug Lawsuit?
Except in rare instances, injury victims normally have 2 years to file a compensation claim against the liable party. So, you would need to file a bed bug lawsuit against AFW no later than 2 years from when you first discovered injuries from a bed bug infestation. We strongly recommend that you verify the deadline for a claim by reaching out to us as soon as possible. If you get the date wrong and exceed the statute of limitations, the courts will take away your right to seek monetary damages from the furniture store.
Contact a Bed Bug Lawsuit Attorney
Advice from an experienced attorney is critical when you were injured by someone else’s failure to exercise reasonable care. With that in mind, we hope you will take this opportunity to contact our law firm.
Our team of bed bug lawyers works on contingency, and you as the client will receive the Zero Fee Guarantee from the very first consultation. As a result, you never have to worry about paying us hourly fees or a retainer. The only payment owed to us is a percentage of the compensation you receive from American Furniture Warehouse. In other words, you pay $0 if we fail to secure a settlement on your behalf.
To speak with our legal experts during a free case evaluation, please contact Bed Bug Legal Group.