Victims of injuries and losses caused by another person, business, or organization have the right to seek financial compensation for anything they can document. If you visited a Philadelphia hotel and came home with bed bugs, you can seek damages from the hotel and its insurance company for any losses you can show are directly linked to that organization.
In a Philadelphia bed bug infestation, victims have the right to seek damages for what they can prove. Because this can prove to be challenging in some situations, we encourage you to work with an attorney who can guide you. Our Philadelphia premises liability lawyer is the resource you need in these cases.
Potential Damages from Bed Bug Exposure in a Philadelphia Hotel
To file a claim for damages, be sure you have as much evidence as possible that links your injuries and losses directly to the hotel. Here are some examples of damages that may apply in your situation.
Medical Costs
Though it is rare, it is possible that you may have complications from bed bugs. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that allergic reactions are possible in many situations. Allergic symptoms typically include enlarged bite marks and painful swelling. Some people may also suffer from anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that causes limitations on breathing. If you suffered these types of losses or any other type of loss that results in medical care, seek compensation for those losses. This might include:
- Emergency treatment for allergic reactions
- Testing and diagnostics for ailments associated with your condition or complications
- Hospitalizations for serious injuries
- Follow-up care from a medical professional
- Infections and the complications that stem from them
- Inability to sleep due to the concerns and the implications for your health resulting from it
In these situations, your losses include any type of medical-related cost you have directly resulting from exposure to and infestation of bed bugs.
Emotional Trauma
Psychological and emotional damage are not uncommon in people with bed bug exposure. The experience itself can be traumatic. Some people may be able to seek financial compensation for those losses. This may include:
- Onset of anxiety and stress from the event, including a constant worry about additional bites or an infestation in your home.
- Insomnia and sleep loss that creates difficulty with concentration and getting restful sleep
- In severe cases, a person may face depressive symptoms related to the exposure they have, especially if it leads to a significant infection that takes a long time to recover from
- Post-traumatic stress disorder onset. PTSD is also a concern for some people experiencing the trauma of exposure, especially leading to flashbacks or hypervigilance. Some people may face severe PTSD from allergic reactions, especially those that are life-threatening.
- Social stigma may also be a factor, especially when a person becomes isolated from others due to the belief that bed bugs are present.
In these situations, you may be facing serious consequences that are hard to put a value on. Yet, your Philadelphia bed bugs attorney will help you to understand the necessary evidence in these cases and the value of your claims.
Financial Losses
It is very common for those with a possible infestation to face financial losses and complications. Even if the infestation is small, you still may have to foot the bill for the following types of losses.
- Loss of property, especially if you had to throw away clothing, luggage, bedding, furniture, and other items that you brought home with you or that became damaged within your home due to exposure
- Medical costs on an ongoing basis for the treatment of complications
- Loss of income if you were unable to work for a period of time due to health-related matters
- Cleaning costs for your belongings and your home are incurred when there is a risk of contamination beyond your luggage. This may also include the costs for cleaning and repairing your vehicle.
- Additional remediation costs may arise, especially if the infestation spreads throughout your home and requires more aggressive pest removal methods.
In these situations, it is best to document all costs associated with tossing out, fixing, cleaning, or otherwise losing use of the bed due to the bed bug infestation. If you can demonstrate that the losses stem from the exposure at the Philadelphia hotel, most of these costs may be a part of the claim you file against the at-fault parties.
How Our Philadelphia Hotel Attorney for Bed Bugs Can Help You
You are facing a bed bug infestation that was due to your exposure in a hotel in Philadelphia. In these situations, do not try to negotiate with the hotel provider for your losses and assume their insurance company will treat you fairly. Instead, hire an attorney to help you.
You can recover damages you can prove. Our Philadelphia bed bug attorney can help you make sense of what you are facing. Contact Kwartler Manus now to learn more about what we can do to hold those who hurt you accountable at a free consultation.