Over the years, a growing number of bed bug infestations and bite injuries have occurred in the U.S., including Santa Ana and other cities throughout California. Bed bugs are a huge inconvenience for many people all over the country, and they frequently spread and infest hotels, homes, and businesses because of a third party’s negligence.
If you believe that negligence resulted in an avoidable bed bug infestation and bites, our reliable Santa Ana bed bug injury attorneys may be able to represent you on a pre-litigation basis to help you recover compensation. In many cases, individuals such as hotel owners, landlords, or furniture store owners are responsible for bed bug infestations and bites due to their negligence.
How to Determine if You’re Experiencing a Bed Bug Infestation in Santa Ana, CA
If you sustain any bed bug bites or identify a bed bug infestation in a hotel room or your home, you may be able to seek compensation for any injuries or other damages sustained.
Bed bug infestations can occur in any space at any time as long as people are nearby to serve as a food source. Even if a space is clean, bed bugs can easily make a home if there is a safe hiding space to wait until it’s time to feed, which is typically at night when their hosts are sleeping.
How Bed Bug Infestations Develop in Santa Ana
In most cases, bed bug infestations develop because of another individual’s negligence. Bed bugs can infest nearly any type of property where people are present. Negligent hotel owners are often responsible for infestations because of their failure to take the necessary steps to mitigate the risk of bed bugs in hotels, which leaves guests vulnerable to bites and damage to their personal belongings.
Negligent landlords may also allow bed bug infestations to manifest throughout entire apartment buildings by failing to properly treat and eliminate the problem, in the process claiming that tenants are responsible for bringing bed bugs home following their travels. While it’s certainly possible that tenants could bring home bed bugs from other locations, it is important to determine the extent of infestation in the apartment, look into any past issues at the property and evaluate whether or not you have been on any recent trips, or recently purchased or rented furniture, to make sure the proper negligent party is held accountable. It is not uncommon for a landlord to be at fault for bed bugs in an apartment complex, so if you establish a long term problem at the property, or verify you have not been traveling and introducing new items into your home, you likely have a claim against the property ownership.
Negligent parties, regardless of who they may be, may be held liable for any damages and be required to cover all monetary and non-monetary damages sustained.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in Santa Ana
When you suspect that a bed bug infestation is taking place in the home, your hotel room, or an apartment, there are certain signs to look for that can help you identify bed bugs.
The most common sign of an infestation are bites. The bites tend to be small red bumps that itch, which will often appear in a single line or in clusters along the bite area. You may also be able to spot adult bed bugs, which are roughly the same shape and size as apple seeds. You may also be able to see their eggs, which are small and pill-shaped, or you might be able to spot sheddings. Blood spots are often visible on bedding if bed bugs aren’t apparent.
Bed bugs love to hide when possible, so check all crevices in the room where they might hide, including all bedding, behind baseboards, around mattresses, in closets, and other areas. If you see any evidence of bed bugs, take photographs and record video footage to use in your potential claim.
Types of Damages I Can Recover with the Help of a Santa Ana Bed Bug Lawyer
If a bed bug infestation takes place because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for both monetary and non-monetary damages.
Monetary damages may include a combination of lost wages, medical expenses for treatment, extermination costs, or the replacement of any furniture or other personal belongings. Meanwhile, non-monetary damages could include any pain and suffering endured such as psychological suffering, fear of future incidents, or social isolation resulting from the infestation.
To determine if you have a case, contact our team of dependable Santa Ana bed bug lawyers to discuss the infestation and your injuries, and learn more about how you may be able to recover compensation.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. This firm handles claims nationwide on a pre-litigation basis. Some attorneys are not licensed to practice in certain jurisdictions. Although most bed bug cases resolve without a lawsuit, should one need be filed in a jurisdiction the firm is not authorized to practice, our lawyers work with local counsel upon the execution of a new agreement.