Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and considered the 5th largest city in the United States (according to a 2018 estimate).
With around half a million people, the city is growing as a major tourism spot in the midwest.
This city is a popular venue for festivals and activities along lake Michigan, including the Harley-Davidson Museum and Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory.
This city hosts a variety of large events such as jazz shows, ethnic dining, and cultural festivals.
Thriving cities like Milwaukee are not without its problems, and a growing problem in this city is unfortunately the rising number of reported bed bug infestations.
Bed Bug Attorney In Milwaukee
With a wide variety of hotels, apartments, and Airbnb services, this city is extremely vulnerable to bed bugs.
If you’re one of the unlucky victims, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and lost belongings.
You’ll likely need to file a claim against your landlord, hotel owner, or pest control company. With decades of experience our team of bed bug experts can help you take the next step toward building your case.
Wisconsin Bed Bug Laws
With infestations on the rise, local landlords and lawyers in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin have seen an increase in the number of complaints tied to bed bugs.
Though the existence of bed bugs is easy to prove, determining how bed bugs got there is more difficult.
Wisconsin law has changed a lot in recent years causing the question of who is financially responsible for bed bug infestations all the more difficult to answer.
According to Wisconsin Law:
ATCP 134.04 Disclosure Requirements: Any structural or other conditions in the dwelling unit or premises which constitute a substantial hazard to the health or safety of the tenant, or create an unreasonable risk of personal injury as a result of any reasonably foreseeable use of the premises other than negligent use or abuse of the premises by the tenant.
In other words, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to provide habitable living conditions for their tenants according the law.
If your landlord is aware of a serious pest issue in your unit and doesn’t tell you before you move in, they might be liable (and on the hook) for expenses.
Landlord vs. Tenant Responsibilities
Though landlords are responsible for delivering habitable units, this doesn’t always mean they’re financially responsible for an infestation.
For example…
You recently purchased a piece of furniture (new or used) and brought it into your apartment. Shortly after a bed bug infestation occurs – In this case, you as the tenant will face the burden of dealing with the infestation.
Either way, the burden of proof is typically on the tenant (if you’re looking to pursue legal action).
If you were bitten by bed bugs you should talk to a lawyer to discuss your options, and whether you might be eligible to receive compensation.
Click here for more information on the average value of a bed bug lawsuit.
What Are Bed Bugs Like?
Bed bugs can often be confused with other insects of similar shape and size. If you’re not sure how to identify a bed bug, it’s important you take the time to learn.
This could help identify a current infestation or possibly prevent a second infestation from escalating to a point beyond your control.
These creatures are small, reddish brown insects that hide in dark, hard to reach places until they’re ready to feed.
Their victims are humans or animals who are immobilized (asleep) and use a numbing chemical when they bite so their victims don’t feel it.
In terms of physical characteristics…
you can look for the following when trying to identify a bed bug:
- Small (about a quarter of an inch in length)
- Oval shaped bodies (can be more round after a feeding)
- Rigid and semi-transparent
- Six legs & no wings
- After a meal, these creatures will swell up to almost three times their size.
How Dangerous Are Bed Bugs?
Humans have lived with bed bugs since their earliest days of existence.
Since bed bugs are considered “human parasites,” our survival is critical to theirs, which could be the reason they don’t typically transmit serious disease to humans.
The most common symptom we experience is related to itching, that end up looking like…
Red bumps or welts on the skin (similar to mosquito bites but they last longer)
Up to 2 weeks in some cases.
Excessive scratching can cause damage to the skin, potentially allowing for an infection.
Otherwise the short answer is no, bed bugs aren’t usually dangerous, but they do have the capability to cause the following problems that will impact your life.
- Distraction (could lead to distracted driving)
- Impact your job performance (due to lack of sleep, constant irritation)
- Damaged Relationships (due to increased irritability from itching, scarring, or embarrassment).
Best Heat Treatments for Bed Bugs Milwaukee
One of the better methods for professionally eradicating a bed bug infestation is the bed bug heat treatment.
Conventional methods such as insecticides have proven less effective at fully removing an infestation since bed bugs made a comeback in the early 2000s.
Approved chemicals and insecticides don’t persist to the degree that kills all bed bugs where they hide.
In contrast, heat treatments are extremely effective, and have the following benefits over other treatments:
- Treatment is environmentally friendly
- Infestation can be eradicated with only one treatment
- No dangerous chemicals (good for families with pets).
- You can keep all of your belongings (even mattresses can be treated with heat)
How Do Heat Treatments Work?
A pest control professional will bring industrial equipment and raise the temperature to at least 130F for 3 to 5 hours.
Professionals will monitor the heat throughout the house, ensuring that the necessary temperatures have been reached over the entire structure (even in heard to reach places).
Local Heat Treatment Specialists
Here are a few recommended pest control companies in Milwaukee:
Milwaukee Bed Bug Pros – They use discrete trucks and uniforms
Affordable Bed Bug Exterminators – $250 per room for Heat Treatment
Ehlers Pest Management – They do Heat Treatments & Chemical Treatments
Can You Sue A Hotel For A Bed Bug Infestation in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has some major hotels including the Ambassador Hotel Milwaukee, the Hyatt Regency, and The Iron Horse. At the end of the day, suing hotels in general requires proving negligence.
It is the duty of hotel management to ensure a clean and safe environment for its guests, and failure to do so can be in breach of that duty.
According to the law, it might be the responsibility of the property owner to treat any bed bug infestation that they’re made aware of in a timely manner.
If you find bed bugs in your hotel room…
You should take the following steps:
- Take photos of your injuries.
- Seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe. Keep all receipts and document hospital expenses.
- Report the infestation to hotel staff.
- Consider writing a demand letter if management doesn’t respond to you within a few days.
- Talk to a lawyer to discuss your options.
If there is any failure to meet the necessary requirements in accordance with Milwaukee regulation you can look to receive proper compensation for issues caused by bed bugs.
Can you Sue A Landlord for A Milwaukee Bed bug Infestation?
You probably never would have imagined that you would move into an apartment infested with bed bugs.
The short answer is yes…
You can sue your landlord for bed bugs, however, you as the tenant, have the burden of proving the case of negligence against your landlord.
Here is an example of negligence:
You notice a few bed bugs in your apartment a couple of days after you move in (and you don’t have a history of bed bugs personally). You report this to your landlord, and find out that the last tenant moved out because of an existing bed bug problem. Your landlord didn’t exterminate for bed bugs because he/she didn’t want to spend the money or it was out of his/her budget, but was definitely aware of the problem.
If your landlord failed to act accordingly to prevent his tenants from suffering harm, you could file an apartment bed bug infestation lawsuit in Milwaukee.
Click here for more information on landlord-tenant responsibilities.
Don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance from our bed bug experts, who can connect you with the right attorney to help file your claim.
Milwaukee Bed Bug Case
Jan 2020 – In a Waukesha County elementary school bed bugs were found on a student’s coat and backpack. Students with bed bugs are still allowed to come to school, but their belongings and clothes are heat treated at the school everyday. The principle of the school says bed bugs could take weeks or months to remove from the school depending on the treatment. Source – CBS 58 WDJT- Milwaukee
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?
For bed bug claims against hotels, motels, apartments, Airbnbs, etc..
You could be entitled to compensation for the following losses:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Damage to Personal Property
- Pain & Suffering
- Extermination Expenses
Milwaukee Bed Bug Lawsuit Attorney
Have you or a family member been infested with bed bugs at your hotel room, apartment, or Airbnb? You may be eligible for compensation related to your injuries. Get in touch with our bed bug specialists today to get connected with a licensed attorney in your area. Our consultations are absolutely FREE, no fees unless you win your case.