Bed Bug Attorney Missouri St. Louis Kansas City Springfield Columbia Jefferson City
Bed bugs have become a problem across the whole state of Missouri. The recent influx of travelers crossing Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Jefferson City, and Columbia has increased the risk of bed bugs being transported into various dwellings. Hotels and motels have to pay even greater attention to the cleanliness of their rooms, and visitors should take extra care to inspect the surrounding areas near their sleeping quarters. Victims who have suffered bed bug bites or other damages due to the pests are eligible for monetary compensation for their troubles. If youre in need of a bed bug lawyer in Missouri and require more information on how to file a claim dealing with damages sustained from bed bugs, read further.
Bed Bugs Not FleasIt is important to note what bed bugs are and how they differ from fleas. Bed bugs are small pests, about 1.5mm to 5mm long, flat-bodied, and can only crawl from place to place. Fleas, on the other hand, can only reach up to about 3mm in size and are thicker and more oval shaped; additionally, they can jump a foot at a time, and generally hide on hairy or furry creatures like cats and dogs or in their vicinity, as near kennels and pet beds.
Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures that feast singularly on blood. Theyre reddish-brown in color but swell and darken after theyve had a meal. Their bites are initially painless, as their saliva has an anesthetic substance in it that prevents you from feeling anything; additionally, the saliva contains an anticoagulant that stops your blood from clotting as quickly, allowing them to drink for as long as they like.
How to Find Bed BugsBed bugs can often be found nesting near their victims, generally in cracks, crevices, nooks, or crannies that keep them hidden from view. They are found in the seams of mattresses, the undersides of headboards, behind picture frames, in the small gaps between outlet covers and the wall, and in corners where the rug meets the wall.
In order to detect bed bugs, you should be on the hunt for a few telltale signs of the pest. Before doing any sleeping or resting in an unfamiliar hotel or motel room or apartment building, inspect all the areas near the bed and search for bed bugs. If you do not find the bugs themselves, be on the lookout for spots of brown and black stains or mounds; these spots or mounds are feces left behind after a meal. Bed bug eggs are creamy white and also located in or very close to the nest. Lastly, molted skins are left behind by juvenile bed bugs that are maturing.
If you are unable to locate any bed bugs, you may still be subjected to the pests, as effects of their bites usually do not show up for a few days. While a mosquito or flea bite can show up within the hour, bed bugs bites can take up to a week to become visible. If you are staying at the same location, be sure to be thorough in your examination, and immediately call for support.
Stopping Bed BugsRemoving an infestation of bed bugs takes some time and money. Pest control can usually remove the infestation within a few days, but some furniture and other materials may have to be thrown out, as it is too risky to keep adult bed bugs can survive up to a year without a meal, and may be able to bide their time until they can find your warm body at night to continue feasting. Hotels and motels may not want to spend the extra funds to remove the pests.
Filing a Claim in the Wake of a Bed Bug IncidentIf you have stayed at a location that was infested with bed bugs and you were affected by them, you are able to file a claim to seek restitution for the damages. Whether at a hotel, Airbnb, hostel, or apartment complex, you can issue a lawsuit against the owners. Before doing so, however, make sure that you have amply documented the infestation, including any nests or skins that you have found, and filed an incident report with the quarters.
Since the bites do not show for some days, many people can misattribute the cause of the injury or else not be bothered to pursue legal action or, just as commonly, believe that the claim must be filed immediately in order for it to be valid. In the state of Missouri, you have up to 5 years to file a personal injury claim against a party. This is useful information and a worthwhile law, as there are cases when the effects of a bed bug infestation are delayed a number of weeks and have lasting damages on your life.
Expected Compensation for Damages and SufferingVictims of bed bug infestations suffer in numerous ways, including physical discomfort from the bites, loss of personal property, and loss of wages ensuing from any measures that must be taken to eliminate any pests that may have entered the home. Victims may also be subjected to hospitalization in case of allergic reactions or suffer from bed bug bites that have opened and become infected. In all of these cases, the parties at fault should be expected to be responsible for replacing personal property, paying for extermination and fumigation, covering any hospital bills or medical treatments, and alleviating some of the pain and suffering that could have arisen from the entire ordeal. Enduring a bed bug infestation can lead to emotional and psychological distress and impact your life as it continues; for instance, the troubles may now prevent you from being mentally able to travel or stay in unfamiliar places.
A Missouri Bed Bug Lawyer for YouIn addition to not pursuing a lawsuit against a party because they feel the statute of limitations has passed, people are also wary of the perceived costs of legal representation. Our law firm believes that no person should be dissuaded from pursuing justice and monetary compensation for a personal injury due to funds. We therefore offer a zero fee guarantee: we do not get paid unless you do. That is, our goal is to win your case and bring you the restitution you deserve, but if we are not able to do so, you will not owe us any money for our services. We are committed to helping you and cleaning up the state of Missouri from the quickly spreading scourge of bed bugs.
If you have any questions about a potential case against a hotel, motel, landlord, or other company that subjected you to bedbugs, we encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation. A legal consultation with a Missouri bed bug attorney will help you plan the way forward, and one of our lawyers will give you the information you need to know in order to sue a hotel or motel for bed bugs.
The cost of an attorney is less than the cost of replacing all your furniture and paying for extermination fees and medical treatment. The responsible parties should be covering that not you. Contact us today to learn more about a personal injury lawsuit and the process of receiving your dues.
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