With the surge of bed bug infestations in residences, workplaces, hotels and other places where people live, work or play across the U.S., people living in or visiting Charlotte North Carolina also potentially suffer losses caused by bed bugs. Some individuals likely think that suffering the consequences of coming in contact with bed bugs is just an unfortunate incident.
People do have the right to expect their residence, hotel room or workplace to be free of bed bugs. When negligent landlords, hotel owners or others charged with assuring that people do not suffer losses due to bed bugs fail to provide that assurance, innocent people face losses due to bed bug bites and infestations.
If you believe you have a bed bug case, do not suffer in silence. Receive your free consultation with the Charlotte bed bug injury lawyers to discuss your pre-litigation bed bug case representation.
How do I know if I have a bed bug infestation in Charlotte?
Bed bugs invade residences, hotels and just about any place where they have the ability to hide. Bed bugs have the ability to go without a blood meal for quite some time, patiently waiting for their next source of a blood meal. People come and go in apartments, homes, hotel rooms, retail stores and workplaces, sometimes bringing bed bugs along with them. Bed bugs also hide in furniture and other items at retail or furniture rental stores. When you purchase or rent furniture, the delivery people may deliver more than your new sofa or mattress and box springs. Bed bugs also hitchhike their way home in your luggage or personal belongings when you check out of your hotel room.
Bed bugs are about the size and color of an apple seed, so do not expect to see them crawling across the floor. They are quite adept at hiding to avoid detection. Instead, if you see evidence such as black or bloodstained spots on bedding or furniture, if you or a family member has bites, start an active search for bed bugs. Search bedding, furniture, along baseboards, behind wallpaper and anything hanging on the wall, including pictures and clocks.
Can bed bugs make people sick?
Researchers recently discovered that bed bugs are indeed pathogen-carrying vectors of multiple infectious diseases. These findings reverse earlier beliefs that bedbugs do not carry or transmit disease.
In 2014, Penn Medicine News reported that researchers at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, along with fellow researchers from Peru’s Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, discovered that bed bugs have the ability to transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite responsible for causing Chagas Disease, considered “one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas.”
Other researchers had knowledge of bed bugs as pathogen carrying vectors even before the Penn Medicine researchers. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on three hospitalized, homeless residents in Vancouver Canada who had bed bug infestations. Researchers collected and tested several of the bed bugs. Researchers subsequently announced, “We report recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) from bedbugs.”
Bed bug bites also potentially cause an allergic reaction in some people.
What can I do if I suffered bed bug infestation and bites in Charlotte NC?
North Carolina § 42-42 (a) (2) requires landlords to “Put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition,” and (3) “Keep all common areas of the premises in safe condition.” Hotel owners and stores also have a responsibility to avoid the risk of bed bug infestations.
If you sustained bites or experienced any losses due to bed bug infestations, you can potentially recover your losses due to the negligence of others that resulted in the bed bug bites and infestation.
What damages can I expect to recover with a bed bug injury lawyer in Charlotte?
Monetary losses include actual costs such as lost wages, having to replace furniture, bedding, clothing and other personal belongings, medical costs, exterminator costs and other actual costs. Non-monetary losses include your mental anguish, embarrassment, personal stress and stress on relationships.
Can I sue a hotel for bed bug bites in Charlotte?
Hotels are frequent grounds for bed bug infestations. Without regular cleaning and room checks, bed bugs can breed in dark, warm places in hotel or motel rooms, resulting in infestations that affect guests. If you believe a hotel bed bug infestation has caused physical, emotional, and/or financial distress for you or a loved one, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries from the parties responsible, including negligent hotel management.
Do not simply suffer in silence when you suffer losses associated with bed bug infestations and bites due to the negligence of others. Our office represents North Carolina bed bug victims on a pre-litigation basis. Contact the Charlotte North Carolina bed bug injury lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your bed bug case representation.
