Bed bugs have long been a warning issued to anyone who wants to stay in seedy hotels or in rundown apartments, but fortunately, in the event of suffering bed bug bites, you can file a lawsuit against the responsible party. No one should be exposed to bed bugs, especially not in a place of hospitality; it is the duty of the property owner to ensure that all visitors are kept safe while in the spaces. Any health code violations that lead to injuries can be used as grounds for lawsuits, and bed bugs are no exception. Our team of qualified attorneys at the Bed Bug Legal Group in Florida can help you pursue legal action if you have been hurt by a bed bug infestation. We serve all areas of Florida; you can reach out to a bed bug lawyer in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, or Orlando for assistance.
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are pests that feast on blood. They are only about 1.5mm in size (although they can grow larger, up to 5mm at times) and can be identified by the flat, round shape of their bodies and red or brown color. They are primarily nocturnal creatures that make their nests near where their victims sleep. When a bed bug bites you, you likely will not feel any pain or sensation at all due to the anesthetic present in their saliva, and the creatures will be able to drink your blood for up to 10 minutes at a time because of the anticoagulant also present. If they do not have any means to finding sustenance, they can merely bide their time until something comes near; the creatures can go weeks or months without a meal. They can only crawl from place to place, so they are not able to efficiently relocate or move from target to target.
For more information on identifying the pests, call a bed bug lawyer in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, or Tampa.
Where do Bed Bugs Stay?
Bed bugs are generally found in dark, damp places close to where you sleep or rest. They may make their homes under mattress, beneath couches and couch cushions, in sofa crevices, below baseboards and behind headboards, behind picture frames and electrical outlets, and more. Signs of bed bugs include small cream colored eggs, the leftover skins of the juvenile creatures, dark bloodstains on the sheets, small black or brown mounds (droppings), or a musty stench. They can be present anywhere, whether the location is dirty or clean, and often get transported from place to place because they latched onto luggage, suitcases, clothing, or bags. Some of the places they are found include:
- Apartments: Landlords have a responsibility to tenants to provide them with safe living quarters that are free from harm or danger. The landlord must properly inspect the house and fix any problems before you move in; if you move in and find bed bugs, you may be able to sue. Bed bugs are often left behind when the previous renters did not take some of their belongings.
- Hotels: Because of the high amount of visitors that pass through hotels, the potential for bed bugs to be present in rooms is very high. Some hotels do not have cleaning crews tend to rooms all the time; they merely do the bare minimum to make a room presentable. Mattress and bed covers may not be changed, and sofa and couches might not get cleaned at all.
- Used Furniture Stores: Furniture stores have dozens and dozens of pieces of furniture around, and there is no telling how many may have bed bugs hidden somewhere within them. Some used furniture outlets do not properly clean the furniture before reselling it, which can lead to bed bugs spreading throughout your home if you make a purchase. You should carefully inspect every piece of furniture before you decide to buy anything.
If you want more information on where you may possibly find bed bugs, reach out to a bed bug attorney in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Miami.
What are the Legal Requirements for a Lawsuit?
In order to file a claim, you must be able to prove that the responsible party was negligent in its actions. This is the basis of all personal injury lawsuits. An expert bed bug lawyer in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville can help you show these four points as true.
- You were owed a duty of care (as a visitor in a location, you must not be exposed to any potentially harmful situations or dangers in the space)
- The duty of care was breached (perhaps by the property manager not cleaning any sheets, failing to warn you about a potential infestation, or selling you a piece of furniture that was infested with bed bugs)
- The breach of duty resulted in an accident or an incident (the bed bugs attacked bit you or the infestation spread throughout your home, causing additional economic damages).
- The incident led to actual physical harm (bed bug bites can become irritated and possibly become infected).
You should also ensure that you have ample evidence of the incident. No matter what, you should have photos and videos of your injuries showing the bites and physical harms; if the infestation spread elsewhere, you should have pictures to back up your claim. It can be difficult at times to take pictures of the affected furniture. If you were in a hotel, for instance, you should search your whole room and take pictures of everything you find before alerting management. Management will likely relocate you and offer you a free room, which, if you take, can be used against you in a lawsuit.
If you possess the furniture or if your apartment is the location of the infestation, you should not get rid of it or move out because it will be the most relevant evidence to present. You can also present any bill of sale, receipts of a stay, lease agreements, and more, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case.
To determine if you have a good shot of winning your lawsuit, get in touch with an accomplished bed bug lawyer in Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, or Orlando.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?
A bed bug lawsuit can net you various types of compensation for your damages. You can earn a fair settlement if you keep tabs on what certain things cost, such as furniture and fumigation expenses, and present it to your attorney to negotiate with the insurance agent. Your lawsuit may entitle you to coverage of:
- Medical expenses (for any hospitalization, exams, or medication you may need, as well as future procedures or follow ups)
- Lost wages (for any time you missed work because of the infestation or injuries)
- Property damage (to cover anything that was damaged or that needs to be repaired; can also include extermination and fumigation costs)
- Pain and suffering (including mental stress, fear, anxiety, PTSD, and psychological traumas that could have resulted due to the scarring nature of the incident)
You should not be expected to cover all of these expenses if you were subjected to a bed bug infestation due to the negligent actions of another entity. You can receive fair compensation by filing a lawsuit with the help of a bed bug lawyer in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, or Tampa.
Our Law Group
Our law firm, the Bed Bug Legal Group, specializes in handling bed bug lawsuit cases. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and know the laws inside and out. Our singular goal is to ensure that you are safe and healthy during the lawsuit. We promise to do all we can to bring you the compensation you deserve. When you choose us to represent you, you will be under the care of aggressive lawyers who will go after the responsible party and negotiate with insurance agents until you get a worthwhile offer. If we are not satisfied, we will present your case in court in front of a judge and jury.
Call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. All of our consultations are confidential, and none of your details will be exposed anywhere. You are invited to ask any questions you want and we will give you crucial information about legal action. We will help you understand the statute of limitations and how the litigation process works.
We will also grant you our zero fee guarantee when you sign up with us, which promises that you will not have to pay a dime of out of pocket expenses for our services. Your finances will not be touched at all if we win; our fees will come from the settlement we win for you, and if we lose, you won’t have to pay for our help.
Contact the Bed Bug Legal Group by phone or by email to speak with a bed bug attorney in Florida in Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, or Tampa.
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