Bed Bug Updates
Summer is approaching, and travel is on the horizon. Many people are making their way to hotels and motels, hoping to have a relaxing stay. No matter where you stay, you may wind up with some uninvited guests in your room: bed bugs. You might be itching for a change of scenery, but itching from bed bugs is not on your agenda!
Bed Bug Infestations Can Happen Anywhere – including DC and Maryland
While many people may think bed bugs are rare, they are becoming even more prevalent. So much so that bed bug mattress covers are now on the market to prevent infestations. There are even documented treatment options for getting rid of bed bugs.
Yes, bed bug infestations can happen anywhere globally, but they are even more likely to occur in heavily traveled areas, like Washington, DC, and its surrounding Maryland suburbs.
In 2025, Washington, DC ranked number three for the most bed bug infestations -and it’s not the first time. This is the fourth consecutive year the nation’s capital has landed on the list!
But – did you know – you don’t have to be in DC or Maryland to hire a DC or Maryland lawyer for representation when bed bugs have bitten you? You read that correctly. Because Marriott’s HQ is in Bethesda, Maryland, customers at any Marriott branded hotel anywhere in the world can, with the assistance of Michael G. Lapidus, an experienced member of the Maryland Bar, sue in a Marriott-branded hotel in a Maryland court.
Recent Bed Bug Headlines
One bed bug case that drew a lot of attention happened at Disney World just this year! The article, published on People, says:
In a lawsuit filed on March 31 in Florida’s Orange County Circuit Court and obtained by PEOPLE, David Besse accuses Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of two counts of negligence. The lawsuit stems from an incident that allegedly occurred at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort on May 15, 2022.
While staying at the hotel, one of Disney World’s “Value Resort” offerings, Besse claims he “was bitten numerous times by cimicidae (‘bed bugs’),” the complaint alleges. He further accuses the hotel of failing to train maintenance and housekeeping staff to perform frequent room inspections. He claims the property also failed to use insecticidal dust in the hallways and rooms, failed to use an active mattress liner, and failed to use “mattress encasements” to protect against fluids and stains.
Besse claims he suffered “scarring, bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish” in addition to “medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, financial loss, and property damage.” However, the complaint did not detail the extent of Besse’s alleged financial loss.
In another incident reported on islandpacket.com, a family was bitten while vacationing at a hotel in Beaufort, South Carolina – not too far from Hilton Head Island. The story says, “During their one-week stay in late June and early July, the couple and their three children were bitten by bedbugs in their sleep, according to the court summons. They reportedly found the bugs in the room’s mattresses, bedding, and carpet. Court documents allege the Home2 Suites location engaged in unfair trade practices by misrepresenting the quality of its building and rooms. The suit also cites breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Bedbugs are a private sector responsibility in South Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. There are no state laws or regulations aimed at curbing bedbug infestations in businesses or homes.
What Do I Do if I Find Bed Bugs in My Motel or Hotel Room?
If bed bugs have bitten you or you find bed bugs in your room, there are simple steps you can take.
- Take photos and videos with your cell phone. Make sure you have photos and/or of your room and the bed with the bugs visible. Also, we recommend you take a picture of the hotel sign and your room number. If hotel stationery with the hotel or motel’s pertinent contact information is available, take a photo of it, too.
- Complete an incident report and submit it to the hotel/motel manager. They need to know that it is unacceptable that you had to experience bed bugs in your room.
- After completing the incident report, take a picture of the report. Make sure you have the hotel manager’s name and contact information. The more information you have, the better your case may be. The more information we have, the more effective we can be as your advocate.
Contact a Lawyer for Bed Bugs
If you plan to travel anytime soon, make sure you check your room for bed bugs upon arrival. If you are bitten nonetheless, seek medical attention as soon as possible and then call Michael G. Lapidus at The Lapidus Law Firm at (202) 785-5111 or (301) 852-7500 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. If you have a case, we will fight to make it right.