Santa Cruz Bed Bug Lawyer

If you developed a bed bug infestation or injuries from the pests after visiting Santa Cruz or renting an apartment or home in the city, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim against the property owner. A personal injury claim allows you to recover financial compensation for all of your losses, including medical bills, lost income, emotional anguish, and more.

There are many laws in Santa Cruz and throughout California regarding bed bugs. You must prove that the property owner was aware of the problem or that they did not take the necessary steps to prevent an infestation from developing. Below, our Santa Cruz bed bug lawyer outlines the specific laws and when you can file a claim.

The landlord-tenant laws in California were amended several years ago. The changes strengthened protections for tenants and imposed more obligations on landlords. Specifically, the law states:

• Landlords must document any bed bug infestation in a property and provide tenants and prospective tenants with full disclosure in writing.
• When an exterminator or pest control company inspects a property for bed bugs or applies treatment, the landlord must provide tenants with full disclosure within two days of receiving the report.
• Landlords cannot rent, show, or lease any property with a current bed bug infestation.
• Landlords cannot penalize or retaliate against tenants for reporting bed bugs. Retaliation can include increasing the rent, delayed response times, and a reduction of services.

Under the law, tenants are not completely absolved of any liability when there is a bed bug infestation. In fact, if a tenant is negligent and causes a bed bug infestation or does not try to prevent one from happening, landlords may be able to sue the renter. The legal obligations of tenants include:

• Reporting a bed bug infestation to the landlord as soon as it is discovered,
• Keeping rental units clean and sanitary,
• Repairing any damage they cause, including treating a bed bug infestation,
• Cooperate with the landlord to eliminate the problem, including providing access to the property

When a bed bug problem starts at a hotel, it is typically the hotel owner who is responsible. Guests rarely bring bed bugs onto a hotel property, and they spread rampantly once within a premises. It is more challenging to prove liability when a rental unit is infested with bed bugs. This is because tenants, as well as landlords, can start the problem. A Santa Cruz bed bug attorney can determine who is liable and help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Personal injury claims involving bed bug infestations are complicated. At Brod Law Firm, our bed bug attorney in Santa Cruz can determine who is at fault and help you claim the full and fair settlement you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to request a free review of your case and to get more information.