HOW DO WE HANDLE YOUR BEDBUG LAWSUIT?

1.       First, call our office at (815) 450-7459 or contact us 24/7 HERE for a free consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.

2.       An attorney will advise you on what steps to take to preserve evidence and ensure that you give yourself the best opportunity to be fairly compensated for your damages and reimbursed for your out-of-pocket costs.

3.       Following the free consultation, we’ll take it from there.  We contact the Defendant, notify his insurer, and attempt to negotiate a settlement that fairly compensates you.  All settlements must be approved by you.

4.       If we can’t negotiate a settlement, or the Defendant’s insurer denies liability, we discuss your options for proceeding to file a lawsuit, formulate a trial strategy and prepare for trial.

5.       And remember…if you don’t win, you don’t pay.  We represent clients in these cases on a contingency-basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover for you.  So, you have nothing to lose – call our Firm now at (815) 450-7459, or contact us 24/7 HERE to get in touch with an attorney that handles these type of cases.

BED BUGS IN YOUR APARTMENT?  WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY…

Do You Think You’ve Got A Bed Bug Problem?

Are you…

• .       Waking up with bite marks, usually in a line or a circle?
• .       Seeing red smears or stains on your sheets, mattress or other furniture near your bed?
• .       Seeing live or dead bed bugs?
• .       Noticing bite marks on your children?

What You Can Do Right Away…

•           Pull your bed away from the wall and vacuum, vacuum and vacuum.  Remove the vacuum bag or contents, place into a sealable bag (large Ziploc), seal tightly and dispose right away;
•          Put your clothes, bedding and other items in a dryer for at least 20 minutes on HIGH heat.  Ideally, have your garments dry-cleaned (althought this can be costly);
•            Once you’ve removed your articles from the dryer, seal them in bags so that bugs cannot get back into them;
•             Call a professional exterminator and let them assess the infestation and treat accordingly;
•          Buy a “bed bug cover” for your mattress and box spring;
•          Document the infestation with photographs of the bugs, bite marks and other indicators;
•          If you have visible bite marks, seek medical attention (your family doctor, a care clinic, etc.).  Your doctor may suggest a topical cream or medication;
•          Keep copies of all your receipts (exterminators, dry-cleaning, furniture care, etc.); and
•          Contact Us to determine whether you may be able to recover your expenses and be compensated for the pain and emotional distress of dealing with this problem. 

Did You Know…

1.       Your landlord or property manager may be liable to you for monetary damages related to the bed bug infestation, especially if they knew of the problem and did nothing to address it;

2.       The City of Chicago recently passed a Bed Bug Ordinance that sets for landlord responsibilities.  The law goes into effect in December, 2013, and it holds landlords responsible as follows:

Landlord Responsibility:

a.      In any rental unit where an infestation of bed bugs is found or suspected, it is the responsibility of the landlord to:

§  Provide pest control services by a pest management professional as many times as necessary to totally eliminate the bed bug infestation.

§  Maintain a written record of the pest control measures performed by the pest management professional on the rental unit and receipts and reports prepared by the pest management professional. The record shall be open to inspection by authorized city personnel, including but not limited to employees of the departments of health and buildings.

§  Inspect and if necessary, the treatment of the two dwelling units on either side of the affected dwelling unit and the two units directly above and below the affected dwelling unit. This pattern of inspection and treatment shall be continued until no further infestation is detected.

§  Prior to inspection or treatment for bed bug infestation, the landlord shall send a written notice to the tenant of a dwelling unit being inspected or treated which advises the tenant of the tenant’s responsibilities under this section and sets forth the specific preparations required by the tenant.

3.       Even if you don’t live in the City of Chicago, you have rights under the law. CONTACT OUR OFFICE 24/7 to discuss what legal rights you may have to be compensated for your pain, inconvenience and the costs and distress that come from dealing with a bed bug infestation.

The worst thing you can do is to do nothing at all.  Contact Us Now to discuss your options.  We can be reached 24/7 by clicking here:  CONTACT US

HELP! BIT BY BEDBUGS IN MY HOTEL ROOM!

WHAT DO I DO NOW?
IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM.(815) 450-7459. WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

TEN STEPS TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEDBUGS ATTACK:



1. Seek medical attention; let a doctor observe and diagnose the bites.
2. Take photographs of the bites as soon as you discover them - be sure to photograph all bites, not just some.
3. Lodge a written complaint with the hotel immediately.
4. If you observe bedbugs in the hotel room (on the bed, couches, etc.), attempt to take (more than a few) photographs using your cell phone or camera. 
5. Obtain names and titles of every individual that you speak to at the hotel regarding your bites and the presence of bedbugs.
6. Have everything you are taking home with you (clothes, bags, etc.) dry-cleaned before bringing it into your home or putting it in your car.
7. Keep all of your hotel room rental agreements and receipts (dry-cleaning, hotel receipts, prescription receipts, etc.) 
8. Obtain copies of any medical records and medical bills related to your treatment for the bedbug bites.
9. Take photos of your bedbug bites on a daily basis, as this will help you establish how long you suffered from the bites.
10. Call our Law Firm at (815) 450-7459; we will move quickly to preserve evidence that will strengthen your case.

CHECK OUT OUR FULL WEBSITE

Check out our Firm's full website and Bed Bug Hotel Litigation Page @ http://www.rowelegal.com/#!bb-litigation/c24pa

How To Keep The Bedbugs From Coming Home With You

IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM.(815) 450-7459. WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

Bedbugs usually hide in the fold of the mattress

From bedbug.com: The single most common way to pick up bed bugs is when you are traveling. With the millions of people who enter the various transportation and lodging systems available to the general public, it’s easy to see how bed bugs can spread rapidly.

Hotels have been particularly hard hit with bed bug infestations, costing millions of dollars.

Guests must pay particular attention when using a hotel – 1 star or 5 star.

There are some measures you can and certainly should take while you travel in order to protect yourself and your family from bringing bed bugs into your living and sleeping environment.

Here are bed bug safety tips to ensure that don't expose your family and home to bed bugs picked up while traveling:

• Bed Bug Prevention for Travel
  General advice and recommendation to prevent the spread of bed bugs
   
• When going to a hotel 
  Bed bugs are regular guests at hotels. Make sure you stay clear
   
• When honeymooning 
  Start your married life on the right foot – bed bug free. Here are some valuable tips to avoid this problem while on honeymoon
   
• When renting a recreational vehicle (RV, camper) 
  Who rented that car last? Did they leave behind bed bugs? Learn how to avoid them
   
• When flying 
  Security can’t stop bed bugs on airplanes! Take the steps needed to protect yourself on flights
   
• When traveling 
  Bed bugs love to travel. Make sure you are not helping them do so! Here are some important tips
   
• When renting a car 
  Car rentals are great, but make sure you are not renting a bed bug problem along with the car. Read these tips before you rent
   
• When taking a cruise 
  Make sure your cruise is a dream trip and not a bed bug stow-a-way nightmare! Here’s how to protect yourself
   
• When camping 
  The great outdoors is fantastic! The bed bugs like it too, so make sure you read how to avoid them
   
• When using public transportation (taxi, train or bus) 
  Using public transportation is great for your wallet, and great for the environment. But bed bugs are there, too. Make sure you stay clear!

HELP! BIT BY BEDBUGS!  WHAT DO I DO NOW?
IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM.(815) 450-7459. WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

TEN STEPS TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEDBUGS ATTACK:


1. Seek medical attention; let a doctor observe and diagnose the bites.
2. Take photographs of the bites as soon as you discover them - be sure to photograph all bites, not just some.
3. Lodge a written complaint with the hotel immediately.
4. If you observe bedbugs in the hotel room (on the bed, couches, etc.), attempt to take (more than a few) photographs using your cell phone or camera.
5. Obtain names and titles of every individual that you speak to at the hotel regarding your bites and the presence of bedbugs.
6. Have everything you are taking home with you (clothes, bags, etc.) dry-cleaned before bringing it into your home or putting it in your car.
7. Keep all of your hotel room rental agreements and receipts (dry-cleaning, hotel receipts, prescription receipts, etc.)
8. Obtain copies of any medical records and medical bills related to your treatment for the bedbug bites.
9. Take photos of your bedbug bites on a daily basis, as this will help you establish how long you suffered from the bites.
10. Call our Law Firm at (815) 929-3844; we will move quickly to preserve evidence that will strengthen your case.

$382,000 AWARDED TO TWO VICTIMS OF BEDBUG BITES AT CHICAGO MOTEL 6.

Two victims of bedbug bites at a Chicago Motel 6 were awarded $382,000 in damages.  Why?  Because not only were they bitten, but they were able to prove their case and damages at trial.  If you believe you have been bitten by bedbugs at your hotel or apartment complex, consider the following:

1. Seek medical attention; let a doctor observe and diagnose the bites.
2. Take photographs of the bites as soon as you discover them - be sure to photograph all bites, not just some.
3. Lodge a written complaint with the hotel immediately.
4. If you observe bedbugs in the hotel room (on the bed, couches, etc.), attempt to take (more than a few)  photographs using your cell phone or camera. 
5. Obtain names and titles of every individual that you speak to at the hotel regarding your bites and the presence of bedbugs.
6. Have everything you are taking home with you (clothes, bags, etc.) dry-cleaned before bringing it into your home or putting it in your car.
7. Keep all of your hotel room rental agreements and receipts (dry-cleaning, hotel receipts, prescription receipts, etc.) 
8. Obtain copies of any medical records and medical bills related to your treatment for the bedbug bites.
9. Take photos of your bedbug bites on a daily basis, as this will help you establish how long you suffered from the bites.
10. Call our Law Firm at (815) 450-7459; we will move quickly to preserve evidence that will strengthen your case.

DOES MY HOTEL ROOM HAVE BED BUGS?


IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM.(815) 450-7459. WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.


The  University of Maine Cooperative Extension demonstrates how to look for bedbugs while traveling. Watch this video for tips on where and how to look for bedbugs in your hotel or motel room.

CHICAGO #1 IN BED BUG INFESTATIONS

IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM. (815) 450-7459. WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.


Chicago has moved to the top spot of a list no city wants to be a part of: the most treatments for bed bug infestations.

Pest control company Orkin said Tuesday it did more business in Chicago than any other city last year. Chicago had been second on the list in 2011 behind Cincinnati.
Overall, Orkin's parent company Rollins, which runs eight pest control brands, said it saw its bed bug business jump by 33 percent last year compared with the year before.

Chicago in 2012 was ranked just ahead of Detroit, Los Angeles and Denver in terms of exterminations by Orkin. Perhaps surprisingly, the nation's largest city, New York, only ranked 10th on the list.

Cleanliness is not a factor in bed bug infestations, but the creatures are drawn to clutter. They can hide in a number of places in a home, including mattress seams, picture frames and electrical outlets. About the size of an apple seed when fully grown and fed, they can be tricky to spot.
Signs of an infestation include rust-colored stains on sheets or other surfaces on or around a bed and a sweet musty odor, according to the CDC. The bugs tend to spread quickly because they inject an anesthetic when they bite, which prevents a person from realizing that they've been bitten.  - Chicago Tribune, 1/15/13

QUICK FACTS @ BED BUGS

IF YOU THINK YOU WERE BITTEN BY BED BUGS IN A HOTEL, CALL OUR FIRM. 
(815) 450-7459.  WE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND RECORDS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BED BUGS AND THEIR BITES:

• Bed bugs are small, non-flying insects that feed by sucking blood from humans or animals.
• Bed bugs can live in any area of a hotel room, and can reside in tiny cracks in furniture as well as on textiles and upholstered furniture. They tend to be most common in areas where people sleep and generally concentrate in beds, including mattresses, boxsprings, and bed frames.
• Bed bugs are most active at night and bite any exposed areas of skin while an individual is sleeping. The face, neck, hands, and arms are common sites for bedbug bites.
• A bed bug bite is most noticeable by the small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin; redness, swelling, and itching commonly occur.
• See a physician as soon as possible if you believe you have been bitten by bed bugs.  If itching is severe, steroid creams or oral antihistamines may be used for symptom relief.
• Fecal stains, egg cases, and exuviae (shed skins) of bed bugs in crevices and cracks on or near beds are suggestive that bed bugs may be present, but only observing the bugs themselves can confirm an active infestation.

WHAT BED BUGS AND THEIR BITES LOOK LIKE: