Disney World operates hotels and resorts throughout the Orlando, Florida region. All Disney hotel and resort establishments must provide guests with safe and sanitary conditions. If you or one of your family members was bitten by bed bugs while staying at a Disney World hotel or resort, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. With years of experience representing bed bug injury victims against hotels, motels, and resorts, the bed bug lawyers of Whitney, LLP are available to provide representation in bed bug claims against Disney World and are ready to fight hard on your family’s behalf. To set up a free legal consultation, contact Whitney, LLP online today, or call our law offices a (410) 583-8000 to speak with an attorney. Some of Whitney, LLP’s past bed bug case results can be reviewed here. Of course, all claims are different and past results are no guarantee of future results.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are hard to spot, especially after a long day at Disney World walking around the different parks. You are tired when you finally make it back to your room, and the last thing on the mind is whether or not Disney placed you in a room infested with bed bugs.But, it happens.
Bed bugs are small, brown insects that can be difficult to see in detail with the naked eye. They seldom exceed one-quarter of an inch in length and are usually flat in appearance, unless they have recently fed, in which case they appear engorged and cylindrical. Juvenile bed bugs, called “nymphs,” are lighter in color than mature adult bed bugs, which can take on a dark, rusty appearance after feeding.
Though bed bugs can neither fly nor hop long distances like fleas, they are speedy crawlers capable of covering several feet each minute. While some insects are drawn to light, bed bugs are generally nocturnal creatures that feed at night. Their only source of food is blood, which they take from both people and animals.
What Bed Bug Bites Can Look Like
In most cases, it takes several days for bed bug bites to appear after the victim is bitten. For many people, the bites are similar in appearance to mosquito bites, creating small, swollen lumps or welts that may feel itchy or irritated. These bumps can appear in straight lines, or display a more random presentation.
Some people experience mild or no symptoms, and some individuals may not even realize they have been bitten. Unfortunately, as the next section discusses, there are rare but serious health risks associated with bed bug bites.
If you have noticed any unusual marks or bumps on your skin, you should see a doctor to rule out the possibility of bed bugs – which, if present in your hotel or hotel room, could travel back with you in your luggage. If you have been exposed to bed bugs, you will need to take precautions to reduce the risk of bringing an infestation home.
What Are the Health Risks of Bed Bug Bites?
The itchy, red bites are unpleasant to experience. In addition to making the victim feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, at Disney World, they detract from the magical experience that most people expect when they go.
For most people, the effects and symptoms of bed bug bites are limited to itching and skin irritation. Unfortunately, some individuals experience far more serious complications – some of which demand emergency care. For example, bed bug bites have been known to cause anaphylaxis, a swift and potentially fatal allergic reaction marked by nausea, facial swelling, breathing problems, and shock. This condition is also known as “anaphylactic shock.”
Additionally, scratching the bites can open small wounds which may then become infected, causing conditions such as lymphangitis or cellulitis. Other health risks associated with bed bug infestations include impetigo, permanent scarring, and even insomnia or anxiety.
Can You Sue a Disney Resort or Hotel for Bed Bug Bite Injuries?
Absolutely. If you were bitten by bed bugs at a Disney World on-site hotel, resort or vacation rental, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against Disney, who is usually the company that owns and manages the on-site property, and/or other parties, which could enable you to recover financial compensation (“damages”) for medical bills, property damage, and other harm that you suffered due to the bed bug infestation. Whether you have a claim depends on factors such as when the injury occurred, whether you suffered actual harm, and whether the negligence of Disney or other parties led you to sustain bite injuries.
For example, Disney may be liable for your injuries if you were knowingly given an infested room, or if staff were negligent in cleaning and maintaining the room properly. However, it is crucial to act quickly, before a legal deadline known as the “statute of limitations” expires and prevents you from filing suit. Our experienced bed bug lawyers can determine whether you have a claim against Disney, and help you evaluate your family’s legal options for seeking damages.
If You Were Bitten by Bed Bugs at Disney World Hotel or Resort, Our Lawyers Can Help
Family vacations at Disney are expensive and require a lot of planning. It is a time to make cherished memories – not to suffer through the ordeal of a bed bug infestation in your hotel or resort. If you were bitten by bed bugs at a Disney World hotel or resort, or an off-site hotel, rental or AirBnB, the bed bug attorneys of Whitney, LLP have experience recovering the compensation for guests of hotels and vacation rentals.
You may be able to get compensated for your bites, discomfort, emotional distress, vacation costs, medical bills, anticipated medical expenses, property damage, and other losses and expenses caused by the bed bug infestation. To discuss your claim confidentially in a legal consultation, contact our law offices online, or call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today.