The safety of your loved ones is your top priority when you place them in nursing homes. It’s a time-consuming and challenging process to find a reliable one. However, nursing homes, although meant to provide care and ease for the elderly, could be home to bed bugs that can wreak havoc on their occupants.
Bed bugs, as we know, are tiny insects that feed on blood. They live in dark corners, crevices, furniture, bed frames, and bedding and can travel with ease. Bed bugs are a pest that can infest any home, and nursing homes are not an exception.
If you find bed bugs in a nursing home, it’s essential to know what to do to keep your loved ones safe and legally secure. However, navigating legal waters can be challenging, so you need a seasoned attorney like Yale Spector from The Spector Law Group.
Report to the Management
The first step you take when you discover bed bugs in a nursing home is reporting them to the management. According to Maryland tenant law, they are responsible for providing pest control and ensuring a sanitary living environment. Report the bed bug incident to the management, and they are obliged to respond by scheduling a pest control appointment.
Document the Incident
It’s crucial to document the bed bug incident, taking note of the date, time, and location. Take photos or videos of the infestation, and make a list of all affected items, including clothes, bedding, and furniture. Documentation is crucial since it could be your only evidence if the nursing home management fails to eradicate the bed bug problem or a quick fix occurs.
Understand Your Rights
Maryland law obligates nursing home management to meet specific standards, including providing a clean and healthy living environment. The state also has a tenants’ rights law, giving you the right to decent housing. In case of any bed bug infestation, contact an attorney who will walk you through what you can do to hold the nursing home management legally accountable.
Claiming Compensation
Bed bugs could lead to severe health complications, particularly in the elderly, who have lower immune systems. They are responsible for itching, rashes, insomnia, or even anemia. If you notice bed bug-related health complications, contact your attorney immediately to file a compensation claim. Yale Spector, an attorney at Spector Law Group, has experience fighting in bed bug claims.
Seeking Alternative Housing
If the nursing home management fails to furnish the tenant with a pest-free environment, the tenant has a right to seek alternative housing. Contact your attorney, who will take you through the steps of finding and documenting a new home’s costs.
Conclusion:
Finding bed bugs in a nursing home is an issue that requires immediate action. It’s crucial to report to the management, document the infestation, and understand your rights. If you or your loved one has bed bug-related health complications, an attorney could help you receive compensation. Additionally, an attorney can help you seek alternative housing if necessary. Yale Spector from The Spector Law Group has a wealth of experience litigating bed bug cases. Remember, taking immediate action could stop the bed bug infestation from becoming an epidemic and ensure your loved one’s safety.
