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Original poster

Bitten by bed bugs at hotel- How do I go about suing? Who to complain to?

19 replies

Jzee · 27/02/2007 20:17

DH stayed in a hotel over the weekend for one night and came home covered bites. His hands swelled up with a bad reaction and he's been suffering quite badly for the past three days. I was just going to make a complaint to the tourist board involved, but everyone says we should be suing. Not sure how to go about that though? Any suggestions

OP posts:

Scootergirl · 27/02/2007 20:18

Didn't some American tourist just sue a London hotel? Check online - I'm sure it was in the last month

isaidno · 27/02/2007 20:19

have you contacted the hotel? What did they say?

moondog · 27/02/2007 20:19

Oh fgs.
Save yer energy.

lulumama · 27/02/2007 20:20

i would write but legal action is costly, time consuming and unlikely to get you much

if you are desperate to sue, do it in small claims ......then you can do it yourself

you will not be awarded any significant amount for a bite.....

start by writing to the manager and send it recorded or email so there is a record of sending

Original poster

Jzee · 27/02/2007 20:21

I'd like to forget about it, but DH is sitting here suffering.

OP posts:

lulumama · 27/02/2007 20:22

what do you realistically think you will get if you sue?

cupcakesgalore · 27/02/2007 20:22

No, but make sure you ditch his luggage. Don't want to worry you but will let you know my sister's story. My sister bought a house which turned out to be completely infested with bedbugs to the pt. at which she could see them crawling on her at night. It was a nightmare because Rentokil had to come and she had to let them defumigate EVERYTHING with really toxic gas and take off skirting boards etc. Infact her baby daughter was allowed to have just a nappy on as she left the house. Apparently Rentokil said that a big way for them to travel from place to place is when people stay, for example, in B and Bs and put their luggage under the bed. Afew hop in and hey presto. My sister's q. neurotic now, after her sev. £1000 experience and when her friend came to stay who had a bedbug problem being dealt with, made him leave his bag in the car! Hope your hubby recovers and you get some useful legal advice.

Kbear · 27/02/2007 20:25

Why not give the hotel a chance to compensate you? Have you contacted them? This happened to my friend in NY and the hotel compensated directly.

Original poster

Jzee · 27/02/2007 20:26

A holiday at a bed bug free hotel in the Bahamas.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jzee · 27/02/2007 20:28

On a serious note: I did wash his bags etc, but is that enough to kill them off?

OP posts:

pooka · 27/02/2007 20:31

Jzee - unfortunately I don't think that's enough. Do a google search and you might get more info but there was lots on it when the case of the americans suing was first in the news.

You know in hotels you get the metal frame thing with webbing on? that's to put your suitcases on. Bugs can't climb up the metal apparently.

zippitippitoes · 27/02/2007 20:34

contact the hotel but i don't think you will get far sueing..you'd have to prove it which would be hard

cupcakesgalore · 27/02/2007 20:37

No - washing and tumble drying aren't sufficient. My sister had to hand over every garment for specialist treatment. the chances are that he won't have them in his luggage, but if I were you I'd get rid of them to be on the safe side. the stuff they use to defumigate is really toxic stuff and (i'm not joking) for 4 yrs after her house was done - whilst it's perfectly safe for the family etc - any fly or insect that landed on her walls died!My sister's infestation was v. extreme though. Rentokil said they'd never seen anything like it.

Original poster

Jzee · 28/04/2007 21:16

We have finally had a reply from the hotel offering £100 compensation. They have asked us to sign a form declaring that we won't take the matter further if we accept a cheque - since they are admitting to having bedbugs then we now feel like suing for more - is this worth a try anyone know?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 28/04/2007 21:17

Suing?

I think I'd write them a letter to a) let them know they had them b) see how they respond.

But sue them?

Nah.

Piffle · 28/04/2007 21:27

I think it is fair to expect them to offer to pay towards any expense that the be bug bites and infestation cost you
But sue?
Nope

flightattendant · 29/04/2007 09:10

I think if you are happy with the settlement, then don't bother suing - the best and responsible thing to do would be to report the hotel to the local tourist board, or whoever they are registered with. That way they'll soon be having inspecions and could even be closed down. If you want to protect others from the same fate I'd guess that's the way to go.
Don't sign anything saying you won't 'take it futher' unless you've done all that first!

flightattendant · 29/04/2007 09:12

BTW worth maybe getting a Dr. to see the evidence and maybe photos etc. so you can show third parties if need be...maybe the tourist board might want evidence? (just tell them to send someone to stay there overnight, should convince them!)

NotQuiteCockney · 29/04/2007 09:15

It's really easy to bring them back with your luggage. You want to air out the luggage lots, and vacuum it. Things need to be washed at quite a warm temperature to get rid of bed bugs, from what I know - my sister in Canada had them for ages, and they were a nightmare to get rid of.

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