£5,000 Awarded to Doctor After Bed Bug Infestation at London Hotel

Traumatising Night in Infested Accommodation

We recently helped our client, Dr Mei Ling Stephanie See, secure £5,000 in compensation following a deeply distressing encounter with bed bugs during a trip to London. What was meant to be a joyful visit to meet her newborn niece turned into a disturbing ordeal when Dr See and her partner were forced to abandon their accommodation after just one night due to a severe infestation.

The couple had booked a stay at a property in Galleons Drive, Barking, but were downgraded on arrival due to their original room being unavailable. Within hours of checking in, they were awakened by a crawling sensation and discovered bed bugs in their bed  capturing video evidence of the insects. They immediately reported the issue and were left with no choice but to sleep in their car overnight and make last-minute arrangements for alternative accommodation.

Physical Injury and Emotional Distress

Dr See, a 28-year-old obstetrics registrar, sustained numerous bed bug bites across her body. These resulted in itchiness, inflammation, and scarring, which persisted far longer than initially anticipated. Despite her medical background allowing her to self-treat with antihistamines and steroid creams, she was left with visible discolouration on her skin that, according to a medical expert, is now considered permanent.

Dr See also suffered emotional trauma, including anxiety about sleeping in any unfamiliar accommodation. Her distress was compounded by her upcoming wedding, with the visible scarring causing a significant impact on her self-esteem and confidence.

Commenting on her experience, Dr See said: “This was supposed to be a happy time visiting my sister and her baby. I never expected to be bitten in my sleep and left with permanent scars. The anxiety and upset this has caused, especially as I prepare for my wedding, has been incredibly hard. I’m grateful to Michael Walker and his team for handling my bed bug bite claim with compassion and professionalism.”

A Breach of Duty and a Preventable Incident

At Holiday Claims Bureau, we pursued a bed bug bite claim against the property owner and booking agent. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and Consumer Rights Act 2015, accommodation providers have a duty to ensure premises are safe and habitable. In this case, they clearly failed in that duty.

Mr Michael Walker, founder and acting solicitor at Holiday Claims Bureau, who represented Dr See, commented: “This case highlights the all-too-common issue of substandard hygiene and pest control in short-term rental properties. Our client was subjected to entirely avoidable physical and emotional harm. Bed bug infestations are not only a health risk but also a serious breach of contract and safety standards. We were determined to achieve a result that reflected the severity of the impact on Dr See’s life — and we’re pleased to have secured £5,000 on her behalf.”

Do You Have a Bed Bug Bite Claim?

Have you suffered bed bug bites during a hotel stay here in the UK, or on a package holiday abroad? You may be entitled to claim compensation through a bed bug bite claim.

Discover how much compensation you could be entitled to:

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Let us help you claim the compensation you deserve for your holiday or accommodation injury.