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Mihai travelled from Romania to London for work and returned home with bed bug bites that took around six weeks to heal. Holiday Claims Bureau secured £1,500 for his suffering and medication costs, showing how a claim for compensation after bed bug bites in a UK hotel can address an injury separately from a refund for the room.
This case was first published on 29 January 2020.
How the London Business Trip Was Disrupted
During an August business trip, Mihai stayed at a leading hotel chain’s premises in central London. His employer had arranged the four-night stay.
- On his third day: Mihai noticed itching welts on his arms. He did not yet know what had caused them.
- The following evening: the itching worsened, with further bites across his arms, legs and shoulders.
- Inspecting the bed: he found insects crawling around. The itching and number of bites disturbed his sleep.
The Evidence Mihai Kept
Mihai took photographs and videos of the insects in the bed, as well as photographs of the bites across his body. He reported what had happened to hotel staff, who completed a complaint form. After searching online, he contacted Holiday Claims Bureau right away.
These records helped set out what he had found and when he had reported it. If you are facing a similar situation now, our practical article explains what to do when you find bed bugs in a hotel room.
The Hotel’s Response and Mihai’s Recovery
Back in Romania, Mihai applied antihistamine gel and arranged an appointment with a dermatologist. With medication, the itching eased and the bites began to go down. It was around six weeks before they fully healed and he returned to normal health.
| Payment | What It Addressed |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Refund | The hotel refunded the accommodation cost to Mihai’s employer. |
| £1,500 Injury Settlement | Mihai’s separate settlement covered the suffering caused by the bites and his medication costs in Romania. |
How HCB Presented the Claim
HCB prepared a Claim Notification form for the hotel’s insurer. It set out the chronology of events, the legal basis of Mihai’s claim in the UK and the evidence supporting his account.
An accurate timeline can also help address questions about when and where the exposure occurred, including suggestions that bed bugs arrived in a guest’s luggage.
A few weeks after the claim was submitted, the defendant admitted liability for Mihai’s injuries. After researching the relevant case law and guidelines, HCB put forward an offer of £1,500 to cover his suffering and the cost of his medication in Romania.
Mihai’s Response to the Result
This was the outcome of Mihai’s individual claim. Whether another claim can succeed, and any compensation amount, will depend on its own circumstances and evidence.
For practical information relevant to a UK stay, read our article for visitors who have returned overseas after a UK hotel stay.
Our bed bug bite compensation claims information explains who may be responsible, what evidence can help and how to request an assessment.
