Whether you’re travelling from Glasgow for a weekend break, heading off on holiday or staying away for work, finding bed bugs in your hotel room can quickly turn a trip into a stressful experience.
If you discover signs of bed bugs, taking photographs, reporting the problem promptly and keeping your booking records can be important, particularly if you suffer bites or need to make a complaint or compensation claim afterwards.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland recently supported a client whose routine work trip became a deeply unpleasant hotel experience.
A real hotel bed bug experience
Our client was staying away from home for work for what should have been an ordinary week-long hotel stay.
On the first or second morning, they noticed a tiny insect on the bedding. When they picked it up to move it, it burst and left a spot of blood.
At the time, they assumed it was a tick or an insect that had somehow come in on their clothing.
The following morning, another insect appeared, but it was again dismissed.
A few nights later, everything changed.
Our client woke during the night feeling something crawling on their back and neck. Using the torch on their phone, they spotted an insect on the duvet.
After switching on the room light and inspecting the bed more carefully, they found several insects crawling across the bedding as well as dead insects underneath the mattress protector near the headboard.
They immediately began taking photographs and videos of what they had found.
What are the signs of bed bugs?
Bed bugs can be difficult to spot, particularly if you are not actively looking for them.
When you arrive at a hotel, apartment or other accommodation, it can be worth taking a few moments to check:
- the mattress and mattress seams
- underneath mattress protectors
- the bed frame and headboard
- bedding and sheets
- nearby furniture.
Possible warning signs can include small insects, spots of blood on bedding or dark marks around the mattress and surrounding area.
Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites in the same way, so an infestation may not always be immediately obvious.
What should you do if you find bed bugs in a hotel?
Finding insects or other signs of an infestation can be upsetting, but what you do next can be important.
Take photographs and video
Before the room is cleaned or anything is removed, take clear photographs or video of what you have found.
Photograph the insects themselves if possible, along with the mattress, bedding, mattress protector, headboard and surrounding area.
This may provide useful evidence if you later need to make a complaint or investigate a compensation claim.
Report it to the hotel
Tell reception or hotel management as soon as possible and ask them to record your complaint.
If you send photographs or make a complaint by email or through an online booking platform, keep copies of the correspondence.
Keep your booking records
Keep your booking confirmation, receipts and correspondence with the hotel or booking provider.
If your employer, travel company or another organisation made the booking on your behalf, let them know what has happened as soon as possible.
They may be able to arrange alternative accommodation and retain relevant booking information.
Ask for alternative accommodation
You do not have to simply accept the situation if you are uncomfortable remaining in the room.
Our client was offered another room within the same hotel. However, after discovering the insects around their bed, they understandably no longer felt comfortable remaining in the building.
They asked to be moved elsewhere, and alternative accommodation was arranged through their employer.
What should you do with your clothes and luggage?
One of the biggest concerns after discovering bed bugs is accidentally carrying them home.
Check clothing, luggage and other belongings carefully before bringing them back into bedrooms or placing them on beds and soft furnishings.
Follow appropriate cleaning and washing instructions for any clothing or belongings you believe may have been affected.
Our client spent considerable time washing their workwear and personal belongings because they were worried about bringing bed bugs back into their home.
What if you have been bitten by bed bugs?
Several days after leaving the original hotel, our client noticed raised red marks on their arms, back, calves and face.
A pharmacist advised them to monitor the bites and seek further medical help if the symptoms became itchy or showed signs of infection.
The marks eventually healed without physical scarring.
If you develop bites or other symptoms following a hotel stay, consider taking photographs and keeping a record of when the symptoms appeared.
Seek appropriate medical advice if you are concerned about your symptoms or if they worsen.
Can you claim compensation for hotel bed bug bites?
Finding bed bugs in a hotel does not automatically mean that you will be entitled to compensation.
Whether a claim can be made will depend on the individual circumstances, including what happened, the injuries or other losses suffered and the evidence available.
That is why keeping photographs, videos, booking information, correspondence and details of any medical or pharmacy treatment can be important.
It may also be useful to keep records of expenses caused by the incident, such as additional accommodation, travel or laundry costs.
If the hotel stay took place outside the UK, the position can be more complicated and may depend on how the trip was booked and where the incident happened.
A specialist solicitor can look at the individual circumstances and explain whether there may be grounds to investigate a claim.
The lasting effect of a hotel bed bug infestation
Although our client’s physical symptoms disappeared, the experience continued to affect the way they approached staying away from home.
They now inspect hotel mattresses, mattress protectors, headboards and bedding before settling into any hotel room.
Caitlyn Thomas, Solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, said:
“What happened to our client was much more than an unpleasant hotel stay. They were left dealing with the physical effects of the bites, the worry of bringing bed bugs home and a lasting anxiety about staying in hotels.
“People should be able to expect clean, safe accommodation. Where those standards fall short and someone is injured or affected as a result, their concerns should be taken seriously.
“Photographs, videos and clear records can make a real difference when investigating what happened and pursuing a claim.”
FAQs about hotel bed bugs
Can bed bug bites appear after I have left a hotel?
People can react differently to bed bug bites. In our client’s case, the visible marks appeared several days after they had moved to alternative accommodation.
If you develop marks or symptoms after leaving a hotel where you found bed bugs, keep a record of when they appeared and consider taking photographs.
Should I take photographs if I find bed bugs?
Yes. Photograph or film what you find before the room is cleaned or you move accommodation.
Try to capture the insects themselves as well as any signs on the mattress, bedding, mattress protector, bed frame or headboard.
Can I claim compensation after finding bed bugs in a hotel?
Potentially, but every case is different.
The circumstances of the stay, the evidence available, where the hotel is located and whether you suffered an injury or other losses will all need to be considered.
A quick check can make a difference
Most hotel stays pass without incident, and checking for bed bugs is probably not the first thing most of us think about when arriving for a weekend away, holiday or work trip.
But spending a minute checking the mattress, bedding and headboard before unpacking could help you identify a problem early.
And if something does go wrong, remember to document what you find, report it promptly, keep your booking information and seek appropriate medical advice if you develop symptoms.
Have you been affected by bed bugs in a hotel?
If you have suffered bites or other injuries following a bed bug infestation in a hotel or other accommodation, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland can advise you about your options.
Our specialist personal injury solicitors can discuss what happened and whether there may be grounds to investigate a compensation claim.
Find out more about hotel bed bug compensation claims visit TalkToThompsons.com
