Las Vegas is the biggest city in Nevada, and has the 28th highest population in America.
A popular resort city, Las Vegas is internationally recognized as a hub for culture and tourism. It is known to many travelers for its gambling, fine dining, nightlife, entertainment, and shopping.
The leading financial and cultural center of Nevada all comes from the Las Vegas valley and its sprawling tourist community.
Though the city is considered the entertainment capital of the world, and is famous for providing memorable experiences for its guests, the city is not without its problems.
Tourism destinations such as Vegas are extremely vulnerable to bed bug infestations, with hundreds of reported cases last year.
Las Vegas Bed Bug Lawyers & Attorneys
The city’s mega casino hotels and associated hospitality locations can be popular breeding grounds for bed bugs. Therefore it’s important that you inspect rooms properly before your stay.
There are many documented cases of people traveling to Las Vegas for either business or vacation, and are unexpectedly bitten by bed bugs in their rooms.
Even more shocking is the hotel’s reaction to these types of ordeals. Even when confronting hotel management they’ll do their best to deny the infestation or sweep the problem under the rug to avoid negative publicity.
To discuss whether you’re eligible for compensation, get your free consultation with a licensed attorney in Las Vegas.
Nevada Bed Bug Laws & Regulation
Bed bug laws in Las Vegas and the state of Nevada center around public accommodation (hotels, motels, and Airbnbs).
Under NRS 447.040 – Extermination of Vermin: Any room in any hotel in this state which is or shall be infested with vermin or bedbugs or similar things shall be thoroughly fumigated, disinfected and renovated until such vermin or bedbugs or other similar things are entirely exterminated.
Under NRS 447.040 – Cleanliness of rooms used for sleeping. Every room in any hotel in this state used for sleeping purposes must be free from any and every kind of dirt or filth of whatever nature, and the walls, floors, ceiling and doors of every such room shall be kept free from dirt.
This all means that hotel owners and management are responsible for the cleanliness and livability of their rooms.
Temporary residences are obligated to the health and safety of their guests who shouldn’t be walking into a dangerous environment.
Therefore under this law guests can push the responsibility of dealing with an infestation over to hotel management, and in certain cases me be eligible for compensation for their injuries.
Las Vegas Landlords – In the state of Nevada landlords and property owners have a duty and obligation to provide a safe and habitable living space for their tenants. A bed bug infestation is in breach of this duty, often referred to as the implied warranty of habitability.
Las Vegas Renters – Nevada requires tenants to cooperate with owners and landlords when it comes to bed bug removal. This can be in the form of insecticides or a heat treatment, which requires tenants to evacuate the premise for at least half a day.
Click here for more information on landlord-tenant obligations in regard to bed bugs.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood. They are nocturnal creatures that typically feed at night while their victims are asleep.
You’ll find them hiding in bedding, wall-hangings, along your walls, and behind furniture.
Bed bugs are expert travelers and hitchhikers. They spread by traveling through your clothes or belongings, and sometimes they’ll hide in certain places on your body.
The following are some known symptoms you could suffer from bed bug bites:
- Itchiness and mild to severe skin irritation
- Allergic reactions
- Skin and physical deformity from multiple bites
- Possible infections
- Emotional distress and embarrassment
- Potential scarring
- Trouble breathing in serious situations (usually rare)
Most victims will suffer mild symptoms from their bites, but there are situations where bed bug bites can be dangerous.
Bed Bug Cases in Las Vegas
In July 2017, a quality systems engineer was staying at a hotel in Laughlin, Nevada. On the third morning she woke up with itching on her right ankle and leg. The next day, the risk management department of the hotel confirmed an Eco Lab investigation for bed bugs.
The victim’s trip was ruined, and she had to discard $3,000 worth of belongings that were infested. Unhappy with the way the risk management department and insurance company handled her claim, she decided to file a lawsuit. This case has an estimate settlement value of $25,000 for the injuries sustained, lost belongings, and suffering.
In February 2019, a couple celebrating their honeymoon stayed in a hotel room on the Las Vegas strip. The husband recalls that the room didn’t look clean the beginning they walked in, but he ignored his hesitation in an effort to keep the trip positive.
After a long day of sight-seeing, they went so sleep that first night, and unfortunately awoke to numerous bites on their bodies. The husband got the brunt of the infestation with over 50 bites on his back. The lawsuit is currently ongoing on the grounds for physical injury, ruined vacation, along with negative mental health effects caused.
Bed Bugs in Las Vegas Hotels
If you suspect that bed bugs are in your hotel room, you should take action immediately. Bed bugs can spread quickly, and you want to protect yourself and your belongings from infestation.
First, it’s important to properly diagnose an infestation, to make sure you know what you’re dealing with. Bed bugs look similar to other insects so you’ll want to identify these bugs accurately.
Next you should do a quick inspection of your room:
- Pull back the sheets and blankets – Look for any spots or stains that look brown or red. These could be signs of droppings or potential blood stains.
- Check the mattress and box spring – Bed bugs can hide deep in the mattress and in hard to reach places.
- Do a quick room sweep – Check along baseboards, behind furniture, and along the walls for any sign of bed bugs.
If you’re confident an infestation is present, you should notify hotel management immediately. Make sure to gather evidence and document the conversations you had with hotel staff. You’ll want to keep this evidence in case you would like to pursue legal action.
Sue A Hotel Over Bed Bug Bites
The number of hotels and motels in Las Vegas might seem infinite.
Some famous hotels include:
Wynn Las Vegas, Luxor Las Vegas, Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Red Lion Hotel, or the Bellagio.
Whether you’re staying at a hotel, motel, or Airbnb in Las Vegas you may be entitled to compensation for Damages suffered.
Examples of Monetary Damages include:
- Medical Expenses
- Hotel Expenses
- Potential loss of income due to lost time at work
Examples of Non-Monetary Damages include:
- Physical disfigurement
- embarrassment
- disturbed sleep
- emotional trauma
- mental disorders
- physical suffering
Hotels do not come problem free. The constant human traffic and growth in traveling continues to be the cause of the growing number of bed bug infestations reported each year in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Apartment Bed Bug Lawsuit
You may live in more permanent residence in Vegas such as an apartment..
As a tenant, can you sue your landlord for a bed bug infestation?
The answer is Yes, because landlords often lose interest in maintaining apartments once they are occupied.
It is the duty of landlords to maintain healthy standards for their properties, and some landlords are aware of this issue but choose not to take appropriate action.
If your landlord has consistently ignored tenants such as yourself who have complained about bed bug issues, you may have cause to pursue legal action.
If you have unsuccessfully gotten in touch with your landlord or property management, consider crafting a bed bug demand letter.
How To Build Evidence For Your Bed Bug Lawsuit
- Take photos of the bed bug bites and any other physical harm that was caused to your body
- See medical attention to treat any injuries that were caused (keep the receipts)
- Try and collect a sample of the bed bugs (ziploc bag or sealed container).
- Report the infestation to your landlord, property owner, or hotel operator.
- Report the infestation to the health department (local is preferred)
- Keep all records and documents that could be relevant and possible evidence for your case.
Las Vegas Bed Bug Lawsuit Attorney
Have you or a family member fallen victim to a bed bug infestation? To receive help and discuss your unique situation get your free consultation today! No fees unless you win your case.