At our law firm, we receive frequent calls and emails from people who need information on Colorado’s bed bug laws. The laws in Colorado concerning bed bugs and who is responsible for an infestation are fairly similar to what you would find in most other states. But the laws on liability for injuries caused by household pests can be confusing and overwhelming for the average victim. In particular, victims are concerned about their right to seek compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, and other applicable damages.
Bed Bug Legal Group is proud to serve the residents, workers, and visitors of Colorado, and hope you will give us the opportunity to work with you. Our legal team is here to guide you through the process of filing a bed bug injury claim in Colorado. Don’t hesitate to reach out 24/7 and talk to someone who can inform you of your rights and legal options.
Colorado Bed Bug Laws for Apartments
Colorado’s landlord-tenant laws have strict rules on building codes and health regulations for what it means to live in a safe rental unit. So, if the landlord fails to provide their tenant with reasonably sanitary conditions, they can be sued or hit with fines under the state’s tenancy laws.
As a tenant paying rent for an apartment or other dwelling, you are protected from having to live in a contaminated unit. That means your landlord must take immediate action to eradicate bed bugs on the property, which is normally done by contacting an exterminator.
Colorado Bed Bug Laws for Hotels
According to the laws in Colorado, owners of hotels and motels must provide a safe and sanitary living environment, which includes rooms and suites that are free of bed bugs. If there are signs of an infestation, customers must be warned immediately. The state also has a bedbug registry that you can check prior to booking a stay at a Colorado hotel.
If a hotel owner knew about an infestation and did nothing to resolve the situation, they are legally liable for any injuries and property loss to their guests. Hotel owners are also responsible if they did something to cause or contribute to the infestation, or they should have reasonably known about an infestation, even if there were no complaints from customers.
Owners who are in violation of the state’s bed bug laws can face still penalties, including fines and closure of the business. They can also face a personal injury lawsuit from those who were affected by bed bug bites and property damage.
What Should I Do if I am Exposed to Bed Bugs?
With any infestation on a property you are staying at, it’s essential to document what you see and create evidence to support a legal case. For example, you should take photos of anything that indicates bed bugs on the premises, like bed bug feces and exoskeletons on bed sheets, furniture, and other areas. You may also discover tiny, cream-colored eggs and bloodstains on your sheets when you wake up from sleeping.
As soon as you notice signs, make sure to check all the areas that bed bugs can hide in, like inside drawers, under mattresses, between couch cushions and behind picture frames. Take pictures of all the evidence that indicates an infestation, since the more evidence you have, the stronger your case against the property owner.
Along with documenting the infestation, make sure to take photos of any injuries, like the bite marks. You should get treated for your bites at a hospital, which will provide you with medical records – another important piece of evidence in a bed bug lawsuit.
Along with the harm you suffered, you will want documentation to show that you were a paying guest or tenant. This way, you have evidence of the fact that you were owed a duty of care by the landlord or business owner. This can include your monthly or annual lease, hotel bill, or credit card statement showing your stay at the property.
One thing that’s very important to note – make sure to collect all the evidence before you notify the owner of the infestation. The burden of proof is on you as the victim, so it’s more than likely that the owner will try to clean the unit as fast as possible and prohibit entry once you are out of the room or apartment.
After you have gathered all the available evidence, send a written complaint in writing to your landlord or the hotel owner. For hotels and motels, they may have their own complaint form that you should fill out. If so, make sure to ask for a copy of the complaint for your own records. This step is necessary to ensuring that the property owner was given sufficient notice and had a legal duty to remedy the issue.
How Long You have for a Bed Bug Claim in Colorado
Knowing the laws that exist to protect you is crucial to achieving justice as an injury victim. But you also have to be aware of the statute of limitations. This is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit and receive compensation from the responsible party. In Colorado, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a bed bug infestation claim. This deadline applies, whether you are suing for bodily harm, property damage, or both.
There are exceptions that may allow for an extension beyond the 2-year window, which you can learn about from one of our attorneys. Keep in mind, however, that most people lose the right to sue for compensation if they are past the statute of limitations.
Talk to a Colorado Bed Bug Lawyer
If you need advice and guidance from a bed bug injury attorney, contact our law firm today. We have been representing bed bug infestations victims for decades and have a proven track record of settlements on behalf of victims in Denver, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lake Woods, Colorado Springs, and other cities in Colorado.
100% FREE CONSULTATION