The Global Resurgence of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have made a big comeback in since the pandemic. We had almost 2 years of limited travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, there were less movement of people and so bed bugs also had limited number of hosts. This...
What If The Extermination Company The Landlord Hires Isn’t Solving my Bed Bug Infestation?
If you refuse to let the landlord’s exterminator do the work, then you may be accused of being the problem. Generally in court cases involving contractors of any kind, judges in Housing Court will say that that you need to let the landlord use the company it picks, and when the work...
Is the Landlord Liable For Costs Related To Replacing Property That I Have To Throw Away Because Of Bed Bugs?
Generally, the landlord is only liable for property damages and out-of-pocket costs when you can show that there was negligence on the landlord’s part — that the landlord didn’t take reasonable steps to eliminate bedbugs. This could include a situation where the landlord knew that there was an infestation in a neighboring...
What should I be on the lookout for with insecticides if I have bed bugs?
Insecticides are highly toxic chemicals, so you should educate yourself about a particular product before using it or allowing an exterminator to use it. This is particularly important when trying to eradicate bedbugs, since people—especially children, who are most susceptible to toxins—spend a lot of time in bedrooms and in bed. For...
Jury Awards A Cancer Patient $72.5 Million In A New York Personal Injury Case Against The MTA
On February 22, 2024, a New York County jury awarded a plaintiff, who was left partially paralyzed after being struck by a New York City bus a $72.5 Million jury award.
On March 6, 2017, the plaintiff, then 61, was crossing East Houston Street when an M14...
Can I Ask My Landlord To Do More to Ensure No Bed Bugs Come Into My Apartment?
Yes, you can. A landlord has an obligation to keep your apartment bedbug free, so the landlord should take reasonable steps to keep bedbugs from coming into your apartment from a neighboring apartment. If your landlord isn’t automatically inspecting neighboring apartments and treating them if necessary or sealing up holes and cracks...
Queens County Jury Awards Over $38 Million For A New York Birth Injury
In December of 2022, a Queens County jury found in favor of the plaintiff in a New York Birth Injury case. The infant plaintiff suffered lack of oxygen during delivery and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy upon her birth. The jury awarded the plaintiff damages in excess of $38 million, which...
What Do I Have To Do to Get Ready for A Bed Bug Exterminator?
The exterminator will let you know what steps you have to take in advance of extermination — and you should follow those instructions to the letter. Usually, it will involve dry-cleaning or washing and double-drying all bedding, clothing, and linens; some items that can’t be washed, such as woolens and luggage, can...
Can I Use a Bed Bug Infestation as a Defense in a Nonpayment Case?
Yes, you can. Housing Court has awarded rent abatements for bedbug infestations. But you should be prepared to document the infestation, the notice that you gave to the landlord of the infestation, the steps that you took to prepare the apartment for extermination where relevant, and...
Our Recent $75,000 Bed Bug Settlement
The Law Offices of Effie Soter, P.C. is pleased to announce our latest bed bug settlement. The Plaintiff sustained bed bug bites while in their apartment through no fault of their own. This bed bug exposure completely ruined all of Plaintiff's furniture and needed to seek medical treatment to treat their bites...