Los Angeles is Number one for Bed Bug Bites

According to a recent survey, Los Angeles natives and visitors endure more bed bug bites than anyone else in the country.

Many of the other cities on the list were in the south, largely because of tourism in this area. California and thirteen other states had multiple cities on the list. To prevent infestations at home, professional exterminators recommend regularly searching bedding and borrowed items, washing borrowed clothing in hot water, bug-proofing pillow encasements, keeping backpacks and clothing away from your bed, and not taking home discarded furniture.

San Francisco (no. 13), San Diego (no. 45), Fresno (no. 46), and Sacramento (no. 49) also made the top fifty list.

Parasite Attacks

Bed bug infestations typically begin in hotels, where these tiny parasites often hide in luggage, laundry, and even on furniture. Due to their flat bodies, bed bugs can conceal themselves in the smallest spaces, making them difficult to spot. They multiply rapidly, so a handful of bed bugs can quickly grow into a full infestation in just days or even hours.

When bed bugs bite, they feed on blood for up to ten minutes, causing their bodies to become red and bloated. While the physical effects of bed bug bites are generally mild, many victims don’t even realize they’ve been attacked. Despite this, bed bugs are known to carry various diseases, which can be especially dangerous to those with pre-existing conditions. Blood infections, sepsis, and other complications can occur, primarily because victims often delay treatment.

The psychological impact of bed bug infestations is also significant. A bed is typically seen as a safe space, so the discovery of these parasites can be unsettling. Many victims experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-like symptoms, such as nightmares, hypervigilance, anger, depression, and flashbacks, all of which can persist long after the infestation is gone.

Liability Issues: Who Is Responsible?

This is a duty of care for hotels and motels Under California law, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, and other lodging establishments have a high duty of care to protect guests from harm, including from parasitic attacks. This duty extends beyond physical injuries like falls and encompasses protection from bed bug infestations, which can cause both physical and emotional injuries.
Additionally, hotel and motel cleaning policies often contribute to bed bug infestation issues. Frequently changing the bedding is usually the only effective way to stop bed bug problems. Many hotels only perform such services upon request, even if the guests stay several nights.

If bed bug bites cause injury, a Los Angeles personal injury attorney can obtain compensation for the victim’s economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as emotional distress.

Common insurance company defenses in these claims include lack of cause and assumption of the risk.

Especially if the victim travels frequently, it is often difficult to trace bed bug infestations to a specific location. However, the burden of proof in these claims is only a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). So, a little proof goes a long way.

Understanding “Assumption of the Risk”

Assumption of the risk usually involves a “terms of service” agreement that hotel guests “sign” when they pay for their rooms. A bed bug liability waiver is sometimes buried somewhere inside these lengthy documents. Usually, these waivers are not enforceable agreements. Instead, they are illegal take-it-or-leave-it contracts of adhesion. Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. Lawyers can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no insurance or money.

Photo by Alexander Possingham on Unsplash