Common carriers like trains and buses see hundreds of passengers per day. These individuals often board for any amount of time and come from all over the place; some take the train into the city, while others hire a taxi cab to get around. Airport shuttles are one of the most often used types of transportation; they are usually provided to ease the transportation between the airport and a popular hotel or facility. Because of how many different people board these shuttles, there may be the possibility of insects and other pests infesting the vehicle. When shuttles come from hotels or motels, there is an even larger chance of this happening. Bed bugs are some of the most common insect infestations that plague airport shuttles, but there are other types that can wreak havoc as well. We at Normandie Law Firm believe that all travelers should be given proper care, and if that care is not provided, they have a right to financial compensation for their damages. Our clients often call us with questions about bed bug claims and other lawsuits. Some of these questions include:
- Can I sue if I was bitten by bed bugs in an airport shuttle?
- Who can I sue if bed bugs in an airport shuttle bit me?
- Can I file a lawsuit if I was bit by bugs in airport shuttle?
Facts about Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small creatures that feast on human blood. They are hardy insects, able to survive for months without feeding. When they do feast, they drink until they are engorged and then return to their nests. Bed bugs nest together in dark, damp places that are not readily visible to the naked eye. These locations include behind headboards and electrical outlets, under mattresses and couches, and in the folds of sheets and pillows. Bed bugs in airport shuttles, therefore, have a small range of places they can populate: they may be able to hide under the seats, inside the cushions, and in the linings covering the door or roof.
Bed bugs leave certain things behind that can indicate their presence. Their juveniles shed exoskeletons, for example, and the creatures have cream colored eggs that stick to the fabric. They also tend to leave dark droppings after a meal. There can be blood spots on the fabric that indicate a feeding was happening. While not everyone has the time to meticulously inspect an airport shuttle before boarding, it can still come in handy to quickly recognize signs; a cursory examination is all that is required to determine if bed bugs are certainly present, and if they are not, it may be a safe ride.
Unfortunately, injuries from bed bug bites are not usually seen until days after the incident occurs. The bites turn red and slightly swell, and if they are repeatedly scratched, can tear open and become infected. Although bed bugs do not generally carry diseases, they may still have other blood in their system, and upon biting you, can transport contaminated blood into your bloodstream. For this reason, you may be best off finding an experienced lawyer to sue the airport shuttle company for any injuries that you sustained. Our Los Angeles law firm can help you get started on the legal process.
Other Bugs
Airport shuttles are home to many different types of bugs due to the fact that people come from all over the world with luggage and souvenirs. It is common for insects and other creatures to latch on to luggage or hide inside it, only to escape into the hotel or vehicle during travel time. Sometimes, pests like bees, fleas, ticks, ants, and other insects can be present on a shuttle and can cause havoc. If you were bit by an insect while riding an airport shuttle or were bit by a tick inside an airport shuttle, you can also file a claim against the company.
A Strong Lawsuit
In order to have a good shot at receiving a settlement for injuries sustained by bed bugs in an airport shuttle, you must make sure that you have a few key aspects of your case together.
For one, you will need evidence. As soon as you come forward to the airport shuttle company that you are intending to gather evidence for bed bugs, you may be ushered away as they clean the vehicle. This is why it is vitally important that you collect evidence as swiftly as possible without alerting any authorities; that way, it won’t be removed. You need to snap photos of any indication of bed bugs, including nests and stains. You should take pictures of your bite wounds if they are present. Also, if any other passengers (or even the driver) can give you testaments that they too saw the bed bugs or experienced similar injuries, it would be a big help. Unfortunately, as noted above, the delayed onset of injuries can turn this into a problem. You may want to preemptively collect evidence at further trips, just in case bed bugs are lurking.
Additionally, you will need to prove four points of negligence. These points are as follows: the airport shuttle company owed you a duty of care, breached that duty of care, caused an incident because of that breach, and caused actual physical harm because of the incident. All four of these points must be proven, and they function in a linear path. An attorney with experience handling bed bug claims can make sure these points are all met.
Lastly, you will need an expert lawyer to sue the airport shuttle company. It is possible to represent yourself in these kinds of cases, but an accomplished lawyer will have much more experience and skill in negotiating and arguing for a settlement.
Keep in mind that the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. This means that you cannot wait a very long time after receiving bed bug bites to file your claim; even waiting a few weeks can lead to the evidence of bed bugs in the shuttle being cleaned or removed.
Receiving Compensation
Victims of bug bites in airport shuttles should know that finding a competent lawyer to sue the company for damages is important. You can receive different types of compensation for your damages, including:
- Medical expenses, which consist of surgery fees, hospitalization costs, medication, ambulatory transportation, physical therapy, and more. Any future medical procedures can also be covered. While bed bug bites may not lead to all of these, other bug bites can; for instance, a tick carrying Lyme disease could bite you and land you in the hospital.
- Lost wages, from both the past and the future, for time you missed at work.
- Property damage, which can be collected if your belongings need to be repaired, refurbished, replaced, or even thrown away.
- Pain and suffering, or noneconomic damages, which are given out to alleviate mental stress, psychological trauma, and emotional problems. Fear, anxiety, PTSD, and more can also be covered.
Do not let bug bites go unpunished. Pursue compensation from the responsible shuttle company today.
Normandie Law Firm: Helping You
Our Normandie Law Firm attorneys in Los Angeles are here to help you receive a fair settlement for your injuries due to bugs in an airport shuttle. Our team is experienced and has dealt with infestation claims for many years, and we are no stranger to bringing people the compensation they deserve. We put our clients first, and we will not stop until we earn you a settlement you’re satisfied with. We will relentlessly and aggressively fight against the proper insurance agency until we get an offer, and if none comes, we will be willing to take your case all the way to court.
Call us today to receive a free legal consultation with an expert attorney. You can ask any questions you want about bed bug lawsuits and the legal process behind filing a personal injury claim. We will gladly assist you. Further, you can learn about our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will pay no out of pocket expenses through the litigation process – our payment only comes from the settlement we earn for you. Therefore, we only get paid if we win; if we do not win, you owe us nothing at all, and we eat all costs ourselves.
Contact Normandie Law Firm to speak to a lawyer experienced in airport shuttle bed bug claims.
