Bed bug bites are the last thing a guest expects at a Maryland Fairfield Inn & Suites, or simply Fairfield Inn, a national hotel brand under the Marriott International franchise. Known for providing affordable accommodations, Fairfield by Marriott has gained popularity among tourists, vacationers, and business travelers alike. Unfortunately, hotels can also attract unwanted guests: bed bugs. Not only can bed bugs injure hotel visitors, they can also travel long distances in luggage, restarting the cycle of infestation once the guest returns to his or her home.
If you were bitten by bed bugs while staying at a Fairfield Inn & Suites location in Maryland, we may be able to help you sue Fairfield Inn, its parent company Marriott International, the hotel manager, and other parties whose actions contributed to your injuries. You could be entitled to compensation for bed bug-related medical expenses, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and mental anguish you suffered. To discuss filing a claim in a legal consultation, contact the Fairfield Inn bed bug lawyers of Whitney, LLP online, or call our law offices at (410) 583-8000.
We represent clients in bed bug bite claims throughout Maryland including in Baltimore, Owings Mills, Temple Hills, Germantown, Silver Spring, Frederick, Waldorf, Laurel, Rockville, Ellicott City, Ocean City and Salisbury.
To learn more about how Whitney, LLP can help with bed bug legal claims, read our bed bug blogs or watch our YouTube channel for more information. Here are some of our bed bug case results.
Identifying Bed Bugs
The common household bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a silent, flightless, parasitic insect. Avoiding predators during the day, it emerges at night to feed nocturnally on warm-blooded hosts as they sleep.
Bed bugs can be difficult to identify due to their tiny size, which makes their physical features hard to distinguish. However, their size increases dramatically after feeding, when the bed bug expands from several millimeters to roughly one quarter of an inch. Bed bugs are brown, shiny, and partially transparent, with distinct ridges along their abdomens.
Signs Your Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs
Unfortunately, hotels do not always disclose recent or active infestations to guests. For that reason, it is always a smart idea to check your hotel room for bed bugs before you unpack and settle in.
You are most likely to find evidence of an infestation on the bare mattress, which will be covered in dark stains, molted skins, and egg cases if an infestation is present. You may also notice a foul odor that does not seem to be caused by garbage or cleaning products. This odor, which is often described as being “sweet” or “musty,” may be the result of bed bug alarm pheromones, which the insect releases when disturbed or threatened. Some people have compared it to the scent of almonds, or even the herb coriander (cilantro).
Health Problems Caused by Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have been linked to several health issues – some of which have the potential to outlast the infestation itself. For instance, bed bug bites can cause extensive permanent scarring, which can be an ongoing source of distress for the victim, particularly if the scarring is located on the face, the hands, or other highly visible areas of the body.
Bed bug bites can also trigger anaphylaxis, an intense allergic reaction marked by life-threatening symptoms like shock and breathing problems. Furthermore, wounds caused by scratching at the bites are susceptible to various bacterial infections, including lymphangitis, cellulitis, impetigo, and ecthyma. Moreover, bed bug victims frequently develop mood or sleep disorders, such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Hotel Liability for Bed Bugs at Fairfield Inn & Suites
Hotels are held to exceptionally high standards with regard to guest and visitor safety. In addition to preventing safety issues like fires and electrical hazards, hotels must also take measures to deal with pest and insect infestations. These measures may include disclosing infestations to guests, refraining from booking infested rooms, inspecting rooms for infestations, eradicating current infestations, and spraying preventative treatments to help prevent future infestations.
If a hotel, its parent company, or one of its employees causes or fails to treat an infestation by acting negligently, that company or individual may be liable for resulting guest injuries. If the Fairfield Inn you stayed at was infested by bed bugs, you should discuss the incident with an attorney, who can help you determine whether you may have an injury claim.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Locations
One of the world’s largest hotel companies, Marriott International currently features more than 6,500 locations, including more than 1,000 establishments under the Fairfield Inn & Suites brand, including in Baltimore, Maryland.
Baltimore Fairfield Inn Bed Bug Attorneys
At Whitney, LLP, we focus on bed bug bite litigation. We understand exactly what it takes to maximize your recovery. Whether we are negotiating a settlement or litigating your case in court, we devote ourselves to sophisticated and superior client advocacy. With millions of dollars recovered, our track record speaks for itself. To arrange a free legal consultation, contact our law offices online, or call Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today.