Bed Bug Attorney Servicing Washington, D.C.
Although Washington, D.C. is home to significant historical buildings, hotels and rentals may still be infested with bed bugs without you even knowing. With the massive popularity of national historic buildings in the area, Washington, D.C. has become a huge hot spot for tourists that mostly end up staying in hotels or rentals. In the unfortunate situation that you encounter bed bugs, or are bitten by them while staying in one of these complexes, Whitney, LLP helps you keep the landlords accountable for their negligence.
If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation in Washington, D.C., and suspect that the negligence of your landlord, hotel manager, or a pest control company may be to blame, turn to the experienced and aggressive bed bug attorneys of Whitney, LLP for help. Our personal injury law firm is heavily focused on bed bug litigation, giving our team cutting-edge insights into these cases and how to approach them. We will fight tirelessly to secure compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and other losses you have incurred due to the bed bug infestation. The Whitney law firm has recovered over $10 million for our clients in bed bug cases. Here is what our clients have to say about us. Attorney’s fees and case expenses are paid from only from compensation we recover for you.
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.
Filing a Bed Bug Claim or Lawsuit in Washington, D.C.
Bed bugs are invasive, adaptable pests that can comfortably thrive in virtually any environment, including hotels, houses, and apartment buildings. Compared to many other household pests, bed bugs are exceptionally difficult to exterminate, making infestations a costly, stressful nightmare for renters and homeowners. Not only are bed bugs destructive to property – they can also cause serious health issues, as discussed in the previous section.
Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit may enable you to recover financial compensation, which can dramatically lighten the burden of obtaining medical care and replacing your damaged belongings. You may be entitled to compensation for bed bug-related medical expenses (including anticipated treatment costs), pain and suffering, the expense associated with property damage, and other harm resulting from the infestation. Various parties may be liable for your injuries, such as negligent exterminators or property managers. We will help you explore every possible avenue toward recovering compensation, leaving no stone unturned in the fight to secure justice.
How Do You Know if You Have Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are nocturnal, blood-sucking, parasitic insects that belong to the Cimicidae family. The scientific name for the common household bed bug is Cimex lectularius.
Bed bugs are small insects, generally around one quarter of an inch. In coloration, they range from a pale yellow-brown to dark brown or nearly black, depending on their age, sex, and whether they have recently fed on a blood meal. Their bodies are somewhat transparent, partially exposing the blood inside.
Other than knowing how to identify bed bugs, there are additional steps you can take to detect an infestation in your home, apartment, or hotel. Beyond the presence of live insects, common warning signs of bed bugs include:
- Small, dark, jagged-edged stains on your mattress or bedding. These stains, which resemble those caused by leaking pens or markers, are created when bed bugs defecate or get squashed.
- Unusual, foul-smelling odors, which are frequently described as smelling “sweet,” “musty,” or similar to certain foods, such as cilantro (coriander) and almonds.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Different individuals have differing physical reactions to bed bug bites, ranging from no response at all, to a potentially life-threatening reaction. It is common for bed bug bites to swell up, creating small, pinkish welts, which may cause severe itching and skin irritation. In some individuals, the bite marks can form painful blisters, necessitating rapid treatment.
Unfortunately, it is easy to confuse bed bug bites with bite marks from other insects, such as spiders or mosquitoes, delaying recognition of the infestation. It is important to be diagnosed as soon as possible. This will enable you to receive appropriate treatment – and to combat the infestation – right away.
The Dangers of Bed Bugs
Unfortunately, bed bugs are more dangerous than most people realize. Itchiness and skin irritation are not the only consequences of a bite. Due to a sensitivity to specific proteins in bed bug saliva, which is injected while the insect feeds, some people experience an extreme allergic reaction known as “anaphylaxis” soon after being bitten. Anaphylaxis is fast-acting and potentially fatal, causing effects like nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, facial swelling, and shock, a condition which occurs when blood pressure rapidly declines below a certain level.
Allergic reactions like anaphylaxis are not the only health threat linked to bed bug bites. Bacterial infections can also be a risk.
While individual reactions vary, many people report that bed bug bites are intensely itchy. Too much scratching can create cuts in the skin, which can then become infected. Bacterial skin infections associated with bed bug bites include lymphangitis, ecthyma, impetigo, and cellulitis. Excessive scratching or picking can also lead to extensive scabbing. Later, when the bites are healed, the victim can be left with deep and difficult-to-treat scars. These scars may cause ongoing depression and distress, especially if they are located on highly visible areas like the face, neck, or hands.
Washington, D.C. Bed Bug Injury Attorneys
You do not have to struggle against a bed bug infestation on your own. If the infestation was caused by the careless, improper actions of another person or business, you may have a right to be compensated. To learn more about filing a bed bug lawsuit in Washington, D.C., contact Whitney, LLP online, or call our law offices at (410) 583-8000 to set up a legal consultation.