Average Case Value of a Bed Bug Lawsuit against VRBO

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Were you exposed to a bed bug infestation while staying at a property you booked on VRBO? This online marketplace provides vacation rentals such as condos, lake houses, and villas, which many people prefer over traditional lodgings like hotels and resorts. When guests book a property through VRBO, they expect to find clean and safe accommodations that are free of hazards like bed bugs. However, many renters find themselves in the unfortunate position of dealing with these critters throughout their stay.

Most people are unaware of the dangers associated with bed bugs until they find themselves in the middle of an infestation. Depending on the number of bites and your body’s reaction to bed bugs, you can end up with permanent scars, infections, and various other complications. Injuries from bed bugs are not just physical, by the way. Emotional trauma from bed bugs has been studied by numerous experts, including Jerome Goddard, an entomologist at Mississippi State University. According to Goddard’s research, 81% of the bed bug victims he studied reported mental health issues, including sleep disorders, paranoia, and hypervigilance.

If negligence by a VRBO host or the company caused you to suffer bed bug injuries, we can help you obtain compensation from the responsible parties. During a free consultation, we will go over any question you have, which likely includes, “What is the average case value of a bed bug lawsuit against VRBO?” Contact us at your earliest convenience and learn about your legal options from the attorneys of Bed Bug Legal Group.

How can I tell if my Bite Marks are from Bed Bugs?

Before we talk about case values for a bedbug lawsuit against VRBO, let’s go over the telltale signs of a bed bug infestation. This is important to note, as people confuse bed bugs with fleas. However, fleas are often spotted when they’re jumping from one area to another, and they’re more likely to bother your pets, particularly cats and dogs. Bed bugs, on the other hand, can only crawl, and they tend to come out at night as they are nocturnal creatures.

When you do see a bed bug, you will notice that they are reddish brown, with a round, flat body shape. During the day, however, you may notice signs of a bed bug infestation, which include tiny white eggs and black streaks of excrement. Here are some places where you may notice these signs:

  • Around and underneath the mattress
  • Under couch cushions
  • Beneath carpets and rugs
  • Behind or underneath furniture
  • Behind picture frames
  • Inside drawers and closets
  • Behind electrical outlets

Bed bugs are especially creepy due to the fact that they typically come out at night and bite you while you’re sleeping. But why is it that people stay asleep during these attacks? Bed bugs contain an anesthetic in their saliva, which masks the pain you would normally feel from a bug bite. This allows the creatures to suck on your blood throughout the night and leave behind red, itchy marks that you’ll notice in the morning. These marks are normally in a cluster, either in a straight line or a random pattern. Either way, it’s best to see a doctor right away if you notice signs of a bed bug infestation in your VRBO rental. While some people have no complications beyond swollen, itchy bites, others can develop serious allergic reactions. Immediate medical attention can help prevent or treat symptoms like blistering, severe pain, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis, which can be deadly.

What is the Average Settlement Value of a VRBO Bed Bug Injury Lawsuit?

Claimants with an eligible bed bug claim are curious to know what these lawsuits are worth on average. The truth is, there is a huge range of values that we see in bed bug injury cases. On the low end, these claims may be worth around $25,000, while other cases are worth $500,000 or more. Frankly, the amount that can be recovered depends on many factors that are unique to your own circumstances. In the next section, we will go over some of these factors and the role that they play in the valuation of a bed bug lawsuit against VRBO.

Factors that Impact how much Your Bed Bug Case is Worth

There are many factors that we need to consider in order to determine the approximate value of a bed bug injury claim. To give you an idea of the process we use, here are some of the elements we will examine:

  • The number of times you were bitten
  • The length of time that you suffered from the bed bug infestation
  • The severity of your injuries, which may include infection, permanent scars, and complications from bed bug allergies.
  • Time that you were forced to miss from work (lost wages) due to your injuries
  • Emotional distress, including mental health issues from the trauma of dealing with bed bug bites, destruction of your property, etc.
  • The cost of personal belongings that had to be thrown out due to a bed bug infestation.

This is not a comprehensive list, but it goes to show you the complexities that are involved when we calculate a client’s losses. For more information on the amount you can potentially receive from a VRBO bed bug claim, schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.

Damages You can Recover from a Bed Bug Injury Claim

The costs of a bed bug infestation go far beyond medical expenses for your physical injuries. There are various financial and emotional losses you may end up with, which you can demand in a bed bug lawsuit against a VRBO host or the company. Below is a list of the damages that make up a typical bed bug injury settlement:

  • Cost of doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and other treatments that are needed for your bed bug bites.
  • Future medical costs if you have scarring or other serious injuries that require on-going treatment.
  • Lost wages if you were forced to take time off from work due to a bed bug infestation.
  • Pain and suffering for emotional trauma associated with bed bugs, including the cost of mental health services to deal with conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia.
  • Property damage if you had to throw out personal belongings that were infested with bed bugs.
  • Fumigation / extermination expenses if you were forced to take care of the problem due to the property owner’s reluctance or refusal (common with long-term VRBO rentals).

Bed Bug Lawsuit Settlements in Recent Years

In a previous section, we talked about the range of settlement values that can be awarded in these cases. Now, let’s take a look at some examples of previous bed bug settlements and verdicts from around the country. Keep in mind that this information is for general purposes only. To learn the value of your own bed bug injury claim against VRBO, please take some time to speak with one or our attorneys.

  • A woman suffered from a bed bug infestation for over a month due to her landlord failing to call an exterminator in a timely manner. The tenant ended up receiving $40,000 for her physical and mental suffering during that time.
  • A family moved into a duplex and quickly found out that it was infested with bed bugs. The landlord knew about this, but didn’t tell the tenants prior to them moving in. The family eventually received $90,125 for their injuries.
  • A man who suffered extensive bed bug bites all over his body took his case to trial. His landlord was found to be responsible for the infestation and was ordered to pay the plaintiff $300,000 due to the severity of his injuries, which include permanent skin damage.
  • Guests at a Hilton Garden Inn discovered that their room was infested with bed bugs. The hotel was unable to move them to another room since they were completely booked. As a result, the family was forced to find new accommodations while dealing with their physical and emotional trauma from the incident. The case went all the way to trial, where the family was awarded $546,000.
  • A family suffered countless bed bug bites from an infestation in their apartment. The most serious injuries were inflicted on their baby, who ended up with permanent scars. In a trial, the apartment complex was ordered to pay the family $1.6 million.
  • Sixteen residents sued the owners of their apartment complex for a bed bug issue that existed on the property for several years. Due to the extent of their injuries, as well as the level of neglect by building management, the residents were awarded a total of $3.5 million.

Your Right to Sue for a VRBO Bed Bug Infestation

Understandably, many people who are injured at a VRBO property come to us with questions on who they can sue for their injuries. Can I sue the VRBO host? Can I also sue VRBO?

You can certainly take legal action against the VRBO host, since they are the property owner. Premises liability laws dictate that owners have a duty of care to those who stay on their premises. This includes rental properties for the purpose of short or long-term stays. Hosts, by the way, also have an obligation to ensure the safety of their property according to VRBO’s terms of service. If they receive a bed bug complaint from a guest, the owner must show proof of a current inspection / fumigation of the premises. Failure to do so will result in a deactivation of the listing until such proof is presented.

Because VRBO has a policy regarding beg bug infestations, it’s much harder to file a bed bug lawsuit against the company. However, there are cases where the company’s negligence can lead to a guest being harmed at one of their listings. If VRBO ignored complaints that were made by former guests or engaged in a cover up to hide information about a bed bug infestation, they may share liability with the property owner for a victim’s injuries. They can also be held liable if they violate their own terms of service. For example, let’s say they received a complaint about bed bugs at one of their listings, but they failed to deactivate the listing until the owner submitted proof that the property was free of bed bugs. This could be seen as an act of negligence by VRBO.

At the end of the day, liability for a bed bug infestation is a complicated issue that varies from client to client. Call us today and speak to a bed bug lawyer who can advise you on the responsible parties in your own case.

Statute of Limitations to File a Bed Bug Lawsuit

A bed bug lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of injury, or when you first noticed the signs of a bed bug infestation. If you were a minor at the time you were injured, the statute of limitations on your case is 2 years from the date you turn 18. Please note that the courts are very firm when it comes to the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Extensions may be given, but only in limited circumstances that do not apply to most people. Please contact us immediately to ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time.

How long do these Cases take to Settle?

We know how important it is to receive your payment in a timely manner, and with that in mind, we aim to settle all bed bug injury cases within 6 to 8 months. However, some cases are more complex than others, meaning there are numerous complications we will have to work through. Cooperation from the VRBO host and/or the company is another important factor, as resistance on their end can certainly add to the settlement timeline. Thus, it may take 12 to 18 months to negotiate a fair settlement based on your level of suffering. If a settlement cannot be achieved privately with VRBO, we may need to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Two or more years may be needed to resolve your case at that point.

Free Second Opinion on Active Bed Bug Cases

Are you in the middle of a bed bug claim against VRBO or one of their hosts? If so, are you happy with the service you are currently receiving from your lawyer?

Many bed bug claimants find that their lawyer is unavailable any time they have a question or concern. Others are upset by how long it’s taking to settle their case, or their lawyer’s failure to explain why things are taking so long. You don’t have to be stuck with an attorney that doesn’t see you as a priority, but knowing what to do can be tricky when you have an active claim.

We are happy to help with a free second opinion consultation. This is your chance to have your case reviewed by one of our legal experts, who can help you determine the best strategy for resolving your lawsuit against VRBO. There is no cost to you whatsoever to meet with our attorneys, so call us right away to schedule a free second opinion.

Contact Bed Bug Legal Group

Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of bed bug injury victims, and we are ready for the challenge of fighting for your rights. We know that the recovery process can be confusing, especially when a third party platform like VRBO is involved. Bed Bug Legal Group is here to guide you through the process and ensure that you are fairly compensated by the responsible parties.

No matter what it takes to win your case, our Zero fee guarantee ensures that all our services are free to you. We only get paid by winning your case, and if we don’t win, you walk away without any responsibility for our legal fees. To learn more about your rights and legal options, schedule a free case review with one of our attorneys.

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