Bed bugs spread in many locations when given the chance, regardless of the city or state. They’re also difficult to eliminate once they spread, particularly if negligence or other improper conduct enables them to infest an area. In many cases, negligence directly contributes to infestations as hotel staff, landlords, or other professionals neglect to take the measures necessary to prevent bed bug infestations.
If you believe that another person or entity practiced negligence that led to a bed bug infestation and resulting damages in a hotel, home, or another location, you may be able to get help from an attorney. Our attorneys have the ability to handle certain types of cases that take place in or near New Bedford, along with many other cities in Massachusetts and the rest of the U.S., depending on the circumstances.
How Infestations Spread in New Bedford, Massachusetts
If another party’s negligence causes a bed bug infestation in an apartment, home, hotel room, or another space, along with resultant bites and other damages, you may be able to put together a successful bed bug claim.
Bed bugs have the ability to spread in any area if they have access to food via blood meals from people. Regardless of how clean an area is, bed bugs may infest it if there’s plenty of food available.
How Negligence Leads to Bed Bug Infestations in New Bedford
Bed bugs travel quickly and easily from location to location in search of food sources. This means that many visitors and residents in New Bedford are often vulnerable to bed bug infestations, putting them at risk of sustaining bites and other damages.
Hotels are especially susceptible to bed bug infestations due to the number of guests who stay at these locations on a regular basis. In addition, many hotel employees don’t get the training they need to identify and eliminate bed bugs, which further allows bed bugs to spread more easily. Even if employees become aware of infestations, they may be unsure about how to properly get rid of them and prevent future infestations. This makes it necessary for hotel management to implement a training program that adheres to pest control guidelines.
If hotel employees, management, business owners, or other negligent parties allow for bed bug infestations to develop along with resulting damages, they may need to provide monetary compensation to victims.
Identifying Bed Bugs in New Bedford
If you believe an infestation has developed and want to collect enough evidence to support a claim, there are multiple ways to identify an infestation.
The most obvious sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of bites. These bites are often itchy and red like those of other insect bites, but they generally appear in clusters or lines. If a person is allergic to these bites, they may also experience swelling and oozing, which could lead to an infection.
Other potential signs of bed bugs include adult bed bugs that are dark or pale brown, sheddings, white pill-shaped eggs, brown or red spots that might be feces, or black spots on bedding that could indicate a nest.
When looking for signs of bed bugs, be sure to look in every potential hiding place, including in bedding, under nearby furniture, and in any other dark or dry places. If you spot any evidence, capture photos and video footage for potential use in a claim.
Damages Victims May Recover in New Bedford Bed Bug Cases
If a bed bug infestation leads to bites and other related damages, victims may be able to work with an attorney for assistance if they believe negligence caused the infestation. Our experienced and knowledgeable lawyers have the ability to handle certain types of cases that occur in New Bedford to help seek compensation.
Depending on the specific circumstances involved, victims may be able to seek different types of economic or non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical bills, lost wages, and expenses paid to replace bedding or other belongings.
Non-economic damages could include pain and suffering, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, or insomnia.
To determine whether you have a case that our attorneys can help with, connect with us today by scheduling a free consultation with our lawyers.
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 to 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.