If you were bitten by bed bugs while staying at any Econo Lodge in Maryland, we may be able to help you recover financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim against Econo Lodge, individual employees of Econo Lodge, its parent company Choice Hotels, or other parties whose actions led to your injuries, such as negligent pest control companies. With years of experience handling bed bug injury claims against negligent hotels, cleaning services, and pest termination companies, the Econo Lodge bed bug lawyers of Whitney, LLP know what it takes to maximize your recovery. We will fight tirelessly to hold the at-fault parties accountable and secure the compensation you deserve. To set up a free legal consultation with Whitney, LLP, contact our law offices online, or call (410) 583-8000 today.
We represent clients bitten by bed bugs across Maryland including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Carroll County, Charles County and Worcester County.
Econo Lodge Locations
Econo Lodge is one of numerous hotel brands owned by Choice Hotels, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies. As its name suggests, Econo Lodge offers simple, no-frills lodging at affordable discount prices, making the brand highly popular among travelers who are on a budget.
How to Identify Bed Bugs and Their Bites
Bed bugs are flightless, nocturnal, parasitic insects which feed exclusively on human or animal blood, depending on what is most readily available. The juveniles, or “nymphs,” are pale in color, while adults range from medium to dark brown.
In its resting state, a bed bug appears rounded or oval-shaped when viewed from the top, yet narrow and thin when viewed from the side, like a coin or disc. When feeding, the bed bug’s body will engorge and elongate, stretching into a tubular, cylindrical shape like a cigar.
Bed bug bites look different for different people, making a professional diagnosis essential. Some individuals have no reaction, while others experience minor skin irritation, and others still suffer serious health complications, such as anaphylaxis and bacterial infections.
How to Check Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
Hotels are generally required to disclose previous bed bug infestations, though specific regulations regarding disclosure and termination vary from state to state. However, there are several ways to check for bed bugs in your hotel room. Here are a few simple tips:
- Check online infestation reports when planning your trip. Until recently, the Bed Bug Registry provided detailed reports of bed bug infestations in hotels across the country. While the Bed Bug Registry is no longer regularly updated, travelers can see newer information on a similar website called Bed Bug Reports, a searchable database.
- Check every side of the mattress. Remove the bedding and check all sides of the mattress, including the underside. You may see live bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and/or stains left behind by bed bugs defecating or being squashed.
- Take notice of strange odors in your room. While bed bugs do not make noise, they do emit a distinctive smell when disturbed. Bed bugs warn other insects of intruders by releasing “alarm pheromones,” chemicals which have a strong odor. Different sources have described this odor as “sweet,” “musty,” or have compared it to food products, like almonds or the herb cilantro (coriander).
Can You Sue Econo Lodge Hotels for Bed Bug Bites?
When you visit an Econo Lodge hotel, you expect clean, safe, and sanitary living quarters. Unfortunately, this is not always every guest’s experience. Without proper cleaning, pest control, and maintenance, harmful pests such as bed bugs can invade hotel rooms, biting guests and destroying property. To make matters worse, bed bugs are stealthy travelers who can easily follow hotel guests home in luggage, handbags, or clothing. A guest who stays in an infested hotel room may discover a similar infestation taking over his or her home soon after returning.
The question is, what legal recourse do victims have? If the bed bug infestation was caused by negligence or recklessness, or if the hotel knowingly rented an infested room, it may be possible to file a claim or lawsuit with help from an experienced personal injury attorney. If the plaintiff prevails, he or she may be awarded “damages,” or compensation, for pain and suffering, medical bills, and other financial losses arising from the bed bug infestation. It is crucial to support your claim with as much evidence as possible, such as photographs of the bites, photographs of the hotel room, medical records, hotel cleaning and maintenance records, and other sources of information.
Econo Lodge Bed Bug Infestation Attorney
At Whitney, LLP, our hotel bed bug infestation lawyers are committed to holding negligent property managers responsible for visitor injuries. We understand how overwhelming your situation may feel, and we are here to provide guidance, clarity, and support at every turn. We can help you understand your legal options for seeking damages, and will fight vigorously to recover the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us online to arrange a legal consultation, or call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today.
We represent bitten by bed bugs across Maryland including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Carroll County, Charles County and Worcester County.