In Santa Monica and throughout Los Angeles County, the number of bed bug infestations has been increasing in recent years. With a population of nearly 100,000 people and with eight million people visiting the city every year, it is not surprising bed bugs are so common here. Bed bugs are attracted to areas that have a lot of people, or other warm-blooded hosts the insects need to live. When bed bugs infest homes, hotel rooms, and even public transportation vehicles, they make life very difficult. If you have suffered harm caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim for financial compensation. Bed bug claims have many challenges, though. Our Santa Monica bed bug lawyer can help you overcome them so you obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve.
Who is Liable for a Bed Bug Infestation?Lawsuits involving bed bug infestations are a type of personal injury law. As with the majority of personal injury claims, multiple people may be liable for a bed bug infestation. For example, if you rented a property such as an AirBNB in Santa Monica or you rented a hotel in the city and brought bed bugs back home, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner.
If you are the long-term tenant of a property and you are harmed by bed bugs, you may be able to file a claim against your landlord, but these cases are much more difficult. To claim damages from your landlord, you must prove the infestation had already developed when you moved in. This typically means that you must find the infestation fairly soon after moving in. Waiting too long to report a bed bug infestation may result in your landlord blaming you and stating that you were the cause of the bed bug infestation.
If you were bitten by bed bugs on public or private paid transportation, or you brought an infestation home after using this transport, it may be possible to file a claim against the carrier with the help of a bed bug attorney in Santa Monica. These vehicles are businesses, and owners and operators must ensure people are kept safe.
The Statute of Limitations in Bed Bug CasesLike most personal injury cases in Santa Monica, those involving bed bugs have a statute of limitations, or a time limit. You only have two years from the date of discovering the infestation or harm to file your claim. If you allow this time limit to expire without filing a claim, you will forfeit any compensation you otherwise deserved to receive.
Two years may sound like a long time, but it is not. An investigation must be conducted, evidence must be gathered, and legal procedure must be followed. This all takes time, so you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
Do Not Wait to Call Our Bed Bug Lawyer in Santa MonicaOur Santa Monica bed bug attorney at Brod Law Firm has seen the harm caused by these insects and is dedicated to helping clients obtain the maximum settlements they deserve. We want to put that expertise to work for you, too. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free review of your case.