School is back in session, and the dog days of summer are nearing an end. Nonetheless, South Carolina’s beautiful beaches and its college football will continue to draw tourists, from both in and out of state, for months to come. In this week’s KellyGram, I want to shed some light on a growing risk that travelers face but often do not see—bedbugs.
Bedbug attacks are on the rise in the United States, a fact largely attributed to the growing rates of international and domestic travel by its residents as airfare becomes increasingly affordable. Bedbug professionals rank hotels and motels as the third most common place to encounter bedbugs, and against popular belief, bedbug infestations are not a problem exclusive to cheap, roadside motels. The CDC reports that, just like everybody else, bedbugs also enjoy the occasional stay at five-star hotels and resorts. Thus, it is important for all travelers to brush up on how to avoid bedbugs. For starters, the EPA has issued a list of preventative measures, found here, and www.bedbugregistry.com offers a public database of user-submitted bedbug reports in the US and Canada.
Unfortunately, although adult bedbugs are visible, they often remain hidden and only make themselves known when they bite their unsuspecting victims. These bites can be extremely painful, especially to those with bedbug allergies, and often last for thirty days or more. The bite symptoms vary from person to person, but generally appear as small, unsightly red bumps or welts. Bedbug attacks are also very emotionally traumatic, as they occur when one is most vulnerable and disrupt the sanctuary of the bedroom and sleep. The pests will even hide in travelers’ luggage and infiltrate their homes, leaving them with the extremely difficult feat of bedbug eradication.
Those who have the misfortune of suffering a bedbug attack in a hotel, resort, etc. may, at the very least, have a legal remedy available. A bedbug victim may be entitled to compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for bite injuries, and for furniture replacement and extermination costs should the bugs follow that person home. Currently, Mike Kelly Law Group is working on a considerable number of bedbug injury cases, most of which I personally handle from our Myrtle Beach office. If you or your loved one has suffered an injury from a bedbug attack, please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 692-0123.
