Bed bugs are small insects that are oval-shaped, and that appear to have a brown color before they feed. The bodies of adult bed bugs are flat and the approximate size of an apple seed. Bed bugs feed by biting animals and humans and drawing blood from them. After they have fed, their bodies swell to a larger size and they turn from brown to red in color. As their name suggests, bed bugs often hide in mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and headboards. They also hide in other furniture and even clothing and can quickly spread throughout a home. It is not always possible to file a personal injury claim for damages after discovering a bed bug infestation. However, there are certain instances when you may have the right to do so. Below, our San Bruno bed bug lawyer explains further.
How to Determine if You Have a Bed Bug InfestationBed bug activity is highest at night when people are sleeping. As a person sleeps, the insects venture out of their hiding spots to feed. Using their elongated beak, bed bugs withdraw blood from warm-blooded hosts. Bed bugs typically feed for three to 10 minutes, and the bugs will then scurry away unnoticed.
Bed bug bites are not horribly uncomfortable right away. After some time, however, they turn from red, small bites to itchy welts. Once people are bitten, they may assume that they have a flea infestation, particularly if they have pets. Flea bites, though, usually appear around the ankles, while bed bugs will bite any area of exposed skin. Additionally, a flea bite will typically have a red center, while the same is not true of bed bug bites.
The best way to determine if you have a bed bug infestation and not a problem with another pest is to thoroughly inspect all of the cracks and crevices in your furniture. If you find bed bugs, it is then critical that you speak to a San Bruno bed bug lawyer who can advise on your case.
How to Determine Liability for a Bed Bug InfestationIf you are a tenant renting space out from a landlord, it is critical to consult with a San Bruno bed bug attorney. When landlords are negligent and fail to take reasonable steps to eliminate or prevent an infestation from developing, they can be held liable for any losses the problem causes.
Sellers of real estate property must also conduct an investigation to find a bed bug infestation and eradicate it before anyone buys the property. Any time there is an infestation on a rental property or property for sale, landlords and sellers, respectively, have a legal duty to disclose this to anyone who may want to rent, own, or use the home.
Call Our Bed Bug Lawyer in San Bruno After Discovering an InfestationFiling a claim to obtain compensation after a bed bug infestation is not always easy. At Brod Law Firm, a bed bug attorney in San Bruno will evaluate the facts of your case, determine if someone else is liable, and hold them accountable for paying the maximum settlement you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to request a free review of your case.