Huntington Beach Bed Bug Infestations Lawyer

If you stayed at a hotel, motel, Airbnb, or a rental unit and were bitten by bed bugs, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. You may also be able to file a claim if you brought bed bugs into your home after staying somewhere that was infested with the pests. Through a personal injury claim, you can recover damages for all of your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, mental distress, and more. To successfully claim the damages you deserve, you must prove that the property owner knew of the bed bug infestation and that they did nothing to correct it. Or, you must show that the property owner did not take the necessary steps to prevent an infestation from developing. Below, our Huntington Beach bed bug infestation lawyer explains more about your rights in these cases.

Causes of Bed Bug Infestations

In most cases, bed bugs enter a home when they are inside an object, such as a suitcase or a piece of secondhand furniture, that is also brought into the home. Bed bugs are known as hitchhikers, and they can easily travel from one place to another. Many people think that bed bugs are attracted to untidy spaces, but this is not true. Bed bugs require a warm-blooded host to survive, and they will enter any space with this food source. Still, unclean or cluttered spaces can make detecting bed bugs more challenging.

California’s Law on Bed Bugs

Due to the high population in California, bed bug infestations are an ongoing concern. To combat the problem, state legislators have enacted many laws specifically about bed bugs. California Civil Code Section 1942.5 has placed additional responsibilities on landlords to prevent bed bugs, while also strengthening protections for renters. Under this law, landlords are responsible for the following:

• Landlords must document any pest infestations on their property and disclose the information, in writing, to any potential tenant.
• Landlords must provide full disclosure regarding the report of any pest control who inspected the property for bed bugs.
• Landlords cannot rent, lease, or even show a property with an active pest infestation.
• Tenants cannot be penalized by their landlord for reporting a bed bug infestation, such as increasing rent or reducing response times.

If a landlord’s negligence resulted in your exposure, reach out to a bed bug infestation attorney in Huntington Beach today. 

Do Tenants Have Any Responsibilities?

The law does provide strong protections for tenants, but renters also have some responsibility in bed bug infestation cases. Tenants must:

• Correct any issue they cause, including eliminating a pest infestation
• Keep units in a clean and sanitary condition
• Report any pest infestation as soon as possible to the landlord
• Cooperate with the landlord to eliminate the problem, such as allowing access to the property

Our Bed Bug Infestation Lawyer in Huntington Beach Can Ensure Your Rights are Upheld

If a property owner was negligent and you are now dealing with an infestation as a result, you need legal help. At Brod Law Firm, our Huntington Beach bed bug infestation attorney can provide it, ensure your rights are upheld, and help you obtain the best possible outcome. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.