Bed Bug Injuries
NOTE: Our law firm does not handle these cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Bed bugs are more than an annoying pest. They can do quite a bit of damage and cause serious physical and emotional injuries. If you’ve been harmed because of a bed bug infestation in Atlanta, call a personal injury lawyer to help you recover a financial award.
Atlanta Ranks in the Top 10 For Worst Bed Bug Cities
Every year, Orkin publishes a list of cities with the highest number of reported bed bug infestations. Atlanta is always on that list. Unfortunately, the city is moving in the wrong direction. In 2020, it rose three spots and landed in the Top 10 for the worst bed bug cities in the United States.
What Are Bed Bugs?
What are bed bugs, anyway? They’re small brown parasites – roughly the size of an apple seed – that survive by consuming the blood of humans and animals. So, it makes sense that bed bugs are drawn to areas that are warm and full of carbon dioxide. Bed bugs are commonly found in:
- Beds, pillows, and sheets
- Furniture
- Drapes and blinds
- Purses, handbags, and backpacks
- Carpeting
- Clothing, and
- Towels and linens.
Bed bugs do not fly but are quite quick on their legs. They can climb just about anything.
Once a bed bug finds a host, it uses an elongated beak to break the skin and take in blood. A bed bug can feed for anywhere between 3 and 10 minutes before becoming engorged. Once they’re full, they often change color from brown to red.
Studies seem to indicate that bed bugs do not transmit diseases when moving from one host to another. However, they can still do extensive damage.
Bed Bugs Can Cause Extensive Physical, Emotional Injuries
The longer you’re exposed to bed bugs – and the larger the infestation – the more likely it is that you’ll suffer severe injuries. Common bed bug injuries include:
- Skin abrasions
- Rashes
- Bleeding
- Allergic reaction
- Tissue damage
- Infections
- Disfigurement, and
- Scarring.
For many victims of bed bugs, the physical injuries don’t compare to the psychological trauma that can accompany an infestation. Many people report suffering from insomnia, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues after being bitten by bed bugs.
These psychological injuries can be just as debilitating – if not more so – than physical ones.
Do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you’ve been exposed to bed bugs. Getting help right away can limit the extent of your injuries and prevent complications.
Who’s Liable For My Bed Bug Injuries?
Property Owners and Businesses
Bed bug lawsuits often fall under the umbrella of premises liability. Simply put, someone who owns property or operates a business in Georgia has a responsibility to keep the premises safe. This not only involves keeping the space in good physical condition, but also keeping it pest-free.
When you’re an invited guest onto someone’s property for a business purpose, the owner has a duty to inspect the premises on a regular basis. As part of this inspection, they should be searching for signs of bed bugs. If an infestation is discovered, the owner has to do something to get rid of it.
This might involve hiring an exterminator or fumigating the place themselves. Regardless, some steps must be taken to remove the bed bug problem. If they don’t, they can be liable for your bed bug injuries.
Landlords
When you rent an apartment, you enjoy what’s called an implied warranty of habitability. This means that you’re entitled to a space that’s safe to live in. You have to have access to running water and heat.
You also have to have a space that’s free from pests and infestations. Landlords have a responsibility to fulfill this warranty. If they know or should know about bed bugs, and do nothing about the problem, they might be on the hook for your damages.
Hotel Owners and Hotel Managers
Bed bugs can thrive in a hotel or extended stay facility. Hotel rooms are filled with the spaces that bed bugs love to occupy most. There are a lot of different people moving in and out constantly.
Unless a hotel stays on top of cleaning and changes sheets regularly between guests, infestations are inevitable. If your bed bug bite injury occurred at an Atlanta hotel, you might have a legitimate case against the facility.
Damages Might Be Available If You’ve Suffered Bed Bug Injuries
Bed bugs are pests that can cause extensive damage. You shouldn’t have to cover the costs and deal with the consequences on your own. So, don’t let the person, company, or people who allowed you to get hurt off the hook.
Our team will initiate legal action to demand the damages you deserve, which could include money for:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Embarrassment
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
We know how traumatic bed bugs can be. So, we’ll work tirelessly to recover a significant financial award on your behalf. Contact our team today to discuss your case in detail.
Statute of Limitations for Atlanta Bed Bug Lawsuits
Once you’ve suffered a bed bug injury, you’ll have a limited amount of time to demand compensation. In most cases, you will have up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock will begin to tick once you’ve discovered your injury.
There are times when you could have more or less time to initiate a lawsuit. For example, the statute of limitations might be accelerated if you’ve been exposed to bed bugs at a government facility. On the other hand, the time period could be extended if you were under the age of 18 when you suffered your injury.
However, it’s important to understand that you’ll lose the right to recover compensation if you wait too long. So, it’s best to make sure that you call an experienced personal injury lawyer in Atlanta as soon as you can.
