Published by Arfaa Law Group
While you may think that bed bugs are only an issue in hotels and private residences, the reality is they are also sometimes present in hospitals. If you or someone you love was harmed by a bed bug infestation at a hospital, it is important to reach out to a skilled Baltimore hospital negligence attorney who can evaluate the facts of your case. We can investigate your case and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans. They are small, oval, and flat creatures and are typically brownish-red in color. Fortunately, bed bugs do not spread disease, but they do bite. People may react to the bite differently, depending on their individual sensitivities. As a result, some people have bite marks, while others may have an allergic reaction. The size of the bite can vary as well.
According to a survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), more than a third of pest management companies in the United States responded to bed bug infestations in hospitals in 2012. This was an increase of more than 50 percent from the previous year. A 2013 survey conducted by the NPMA along with the University of Kentucky highlighted that, among surveyed pest control companies, 12 percent reported finding bed bug infestations in hospital settings – a confirmation that the problem had increased from a few years earlier.
Hospitals have a high turnover rate, and guests can bring bed bugs with them. However, hospitals have a duty to keep their premises safe for the patients who visit the facility. If you were harmed due to hospital bed bugs, the hospital may be liable under the legal theory of negligence. Hospital negligence takes place when a hospital fails to maintain standards that a competent hospital would maintain to ensure that its beds are free of bed bugs.
A plaintiff can establish hospital negligence for bed bug injuries by establishing the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence: i) the hospital owed the patient a duty of care; ii) the hospital breached that duty of care by failing to provide sanitary conditions free of bed bugs; iii) the hospital’s breach was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s injuries; and iv) the plaintiff incurred damages. One of the most important questions in any negligence case is to determine which party or parties are at fault.
Once a plaintiff establishes hospital negligence, he or she may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Determining the exact amount of money a plaintiff will be able to recover is often the most contentious issue in a lawsuit and depends heavily on the nature and severity of the plaintiff’s injuries.
If you have been harmed due to a hospital bed bug incident, you should reach out to a skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can help you understand your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to holding negligent hospitals accountable for the harm that they cause. To start learning about your legal options today, call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
More Blog Posts: