Jury Awards California Family $1.6 Million in Bed Bug Case

INGLEWOOD, Calif.  — A jury has awarded an Inglewood family $1.6 million in a case of bed bugs, the largest amount ever awarded such a case, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The family had rented an apartment at 10131 Buford Ave. in Inglewood in 2010; not long after they moved in, it became apparent the apartment was infested with bed bugs, CBS Los Angeles reported. The family suffered bites and rashes, and their son, who was just months old at the time, suffered to the point that he had to be taken to the emergency room.

According to a press release from the family's attorney, Brian Virag, "The defendant in this case, Amusement Six Apartments LLC owns an apartment complex in Inglewood, Calf., and simply didn't respond appropriately to the Plaintiffs complaints about bed bugs. According to the suit, it took management nine days to initially schedule bedbug treatment, and when they did, the pest control operator left handfuls of chemical all over their belongings and carpet. When the Plaintiffs complained about the chemical, the management told them there was nothing they could do, and they should vacuum a square area in their living room to sleep on with their two young children.  Although they then agreed to change the carpet, it took them three months to do so, and all the while, the bed bugs were feeding and breeding in the carpet until it was changed. The family continued to receive bed bug bites the entire time."

Source: CBS Los Angeles