Champaign-Urbana, also known as Urbana-Champaign and Chambana, is a metropolitan area in east-central Illinois. It is the 191st largest metropolitan area in the United States, and it is composed of three counties—Champaign, Ford, and Piatt.
According to a survey held by the now defunct Country Magazine for the top twenty-five green cities in the United States, Champaign-Urbana placed 10th.
The area also houses the main campus of the University of Illinois, one of the best public universities in the country.
Champaign-Urbana is a known tourist spot. Yearly, visitors flock to visit the nature reserves that the area has become popular for.
The Champaign Park District features parks, hiking and biking trails that nature lovers are sure to enjoy. Tourists can also visit Crystal Lake and enjoy a hike around its surroundings.
With the constant influx of tourists, as well as students, it’s no wonder that the area has started to experience a sudden growth of problems, such as bed bug infestations.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are a type of parasite that feed on human blood. These tiny insects like to hide in cracks and crevices, and locate their prey through body heat.
A bed bug has a flat and tiny body. They are usually brown in color, and are often mistaken for other bugs such as ticks, head lice, or fleas.
Bed bugs are quite difficult to spot as they often attack at night, when everyone is asleep.
One may wonder, where do bed bugs come from? The simple answer is this: they can come from anywhere.
If you are a frequent traveler, your chances of bringing home bed bugs is high. The little critters can latch on to your clothes or your luggage. And you can catch them from an infected hotel room, or a bus seat.
Bed bugs can even come from public places such as the cinema or a furniture shop.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Generally, bed bug bites are quite harmless. They are not like mosquito bites or tick bites that are known to spread diseases such as dengue and Lyme disease.
However, they are not completely safe, either. A person suffering from a bed bug allergy may suffer from a general allergic reaction.
A bed bug bite is characterized by itchy, red bumps, that can later develop into blisters.
Some people tend to develop itchy papules that, when scratched, may lead to an infection. This is why it is important to be able to identify a bed bug bite immediately.
How Do I Spot an Infestation?
The thing about having bed bugs is that you will never suspect that you have them until it is already too late.
That is, until you start to itch because of their nasty bites. If you do suspect that your house, or the hotel room you are staying in is currently suffering from an infestation, you can look for the following indicators:
- Blood on the sheets and bedcovers. When a bed bug feeds, they usually leave a trail of blood. These stains are easy to find, and their presence is a positive indicator of an infestation.
- Shed bed bug skin. Bed bugs may be excellent at hiding from human eyes, but they are the worst at cleaning after themselves. When a bed bug sheds, they tend to leave their exoskeleton behind. You will usually find this shed skin and occasional bed bug egg shells in places where they tend to aggregate such as headboards, baseboards, and mattress seams.
- Fecal stains on mattress and beddings. Fecal stains are similar to blood stains. However, they are usually found around the edges and piping of your mattress. Once you suspect an infestation, make sure to check these places.
- Musty smell. The bed bugs’ odor glands tend to secrete a strong, musty smell. If the infestation has lasted long enough, the odor is easy to detect.
What Are My Rights?
Being a renowned tourist spot and home to a major public university, Champaign-Urbana— is has many hotels and temporary lodging.
As a guest to such establishments, you have the right to remain safe while inside the premises. Landlords and hotel owners alike are responsible for keeping their tenants and guests safe at all times.
An injury sustained through a bed bug bite, no matter how small, is a violation of your right to safety. Therefore, landlords and hotel owners can be held liable and you can file a personal injury case against them.
What is Personal Injury?
A personal injury is a term that describes any injury to the body. This includes physical, emotional, and psychological injuries usually sustained due to some form of trauma.
Personal injury cases are filed against the person or company that caused harm to the person due to negligence, carelessness, or intentional misconduct.
Can I File A Personal Injury Case for Bed Bug Bites?
You may file a personal injury case for bed bug bites. Especially if the damages occurred during a hotel stay, or while renting an apartment. The types of damages you may recover from a bed bug injury lawsuit include the following:
- Damage to property. This refers to the payment for any damage to personal property, like clothing and furniture, incurred due to the bed bug infestation.
- Medical expenses. This payment should cover any expenses used for treatment of any injury sustained through bed bug bites. It also covers medication, consultations, and hospital stay.
- Relocation costs. This covers rent, in case you have to move out or relocate due to an infested apartment. If the damage occurred in a hotel, this covers the cost of your entire stay.
- Premises liability claim. This may be filed if you can prove that the landlord or hotel manager was well aware of the infestation but did not do anything to resolve it.
Find the Best Bed Bug Lawyer in Champaign-Urbana
If you have suffered a bed bug bite while staying in a hotel or apartment around Champaign-Urbana, do not hesitate to call for an experienced personal injury lawyer. Unsure of where to look? Contact us now and we will gladly find the best bed bug attorney for you.