It looks like bed bugs are here to stay. With the banning of many pesticides that were historically used to combat bed bugs, we've seen a major rise in bed bug infestations.
As children, we believed bed bugs to be mythical creatures we had to watch for while sleeping even though we had never seen one. Nowadays, however, we know bed bugs are real and that we have to worry about them in places other than our beds. One of these places is a plane.
USA Today is reporting that British Airways had to ground two planes due to a bed bug infestation. They discovered the problem after a passenger complained of bed bug bites. Unfortunately, the passenger, a Yahoo executive, dealt with the bugs on two separate intercontinental flights. The airline is facing scrutiny because it failed to immediately respond to the passenger's complaint and was slow to address the issue.
Its believed that bed bugs get on planes by hitching rides on actual passengers or on their luggage. We've all heard about bed bugs in hotel rooms and in luggage. Considering that bed bug complaints usually involve the tourism or travel industries, airlines should be proactive in its approach to bed bugs.
Currently, airlines do not inspect their planes after every trip. Should we expect airlines to do so? Probably not just because of the sheer magnitude of flights that cris-cross the planet on a daily basis. It would be unreasonable. However, airlines should quickly respond to bed bug complaints and immediately address an infestation.
If you, or a loved one, have been attacked by bed bugs while staying at a hotel, motel or resort, or while on a plane, then please contact our office to discuss your legal rights. We do not charge for the initial consultation, and if we don't make a recovery on your behalf then you do not owe us attorney fees. Call us today.
