Posted on 01/16/2007 9:33:34 AM PST by television is just wrong
A New York lawyer is suing a leading London hotel after he and his wife were attacked by bed bugs.
Sidney Bluming and his wife Cynthia are seeking several million dollars in damages from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in the action filed at the US District Court, Manhattan.
The couple claim they suffered hundreds of bites that left their skin red, swollen and itchy during a five-day stay at the Hyde Park hotel last May.
They also say the bugs infested their luggage, which led to further problems in their apartment when they returned home.
Mrs Bluming claims the trauma was made worse as she is recovering from cancer and her immune system is still weak.
Their lawyer, Michael Weinstein, said they were forced to fumigate their home and throw away clothing, bedding, luggage and personal effects.
Mr Weinstein added: "People associate bed bugs with more of a lower end class of hotel. Clearly, that is not the case here. The Mandarin is as premier and luxurious as any hotel could make themselves out to be."
Jill Kluge, communications director for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said: "We can confirm a regrettable, but isolated, incident of infestation occurred in May 2006 within one guest room at our London property.
"On discovery, a full investigation was carried out and the problem fully rectified. There have been no subsequent incidents. The matter has been referred to our insurers.
"Mandarin Oriental's policy is to operate with the highest standards of conduct, with stringent hygiene systems and processes in place at all of our hotels to safeguard the health and safety of our guests."
The hotel chain is accused of fraud, negligence, recklessness, intentional infliction of emotional distress deceptive trade practice and nuisance.
Anyone ever read Graham Greene's "Travels with My Aunt?" Great book I read in high school, his "Aunt" always travelled with bedbugs in a match box. Part of her scam to stay for free in all the best hotels.
Just like a wealthier Victor, Victoria. Good way to get a cheap trip. HAAAAA
Some months ago, maybe last summer, there were a couple news mentions of spreading bed bugs.
It said that travelers were bringing them and I bet authorities have a good idea who the carriers are.
"crotch crickes" OMG that one is just way too funny!
Those could have been sand fleas. Very common at the beach.
Know the difference between a dead lawyer and a dead snake in the road?
Skid marks in front of the snake.
"They'll win a large settlement, as they should."
I agree, all lottery winnings should be large. I keep waiting for something unfortunate to happen to me, but alas, I'm stuck at the 9-5, working for my money...
The easiest way to dispute this lawsuit is to query people that stayed in that room previous and subsequent to their stay. If no other complaints were made or the people did not experience the same occurances then this shyster's story goes right out the window.
So, what do you think should happen?
Bed bug chasers.
As it turns out, the bedbugs are very difficult to find and eradicate. They are small and hide during the day.
Actually, there are now dogs trained to sniff them out. This is a really good business to get into! Every room should be checked daily.
Bedbugs are becoming a problem again in this country. They are very resistant to most methods of eradication. People whose homes are infested often end up having to throw out almost everything they own to get rid of the insects, which can live up to 18 months in a dormant state.
Of course, they were once eradicated in this country by DDT.
Look, Bed Bugs!
They tried to find the guest who stayed there before the shyster checked in, but his camel phone ain't working anymore. I think the shyster is just looking to pick up a few bucks. :0 )
I think they should've talked to the management, and provided an them an opportunity to make a wrong, a right (doctors, lauder, treatment, reimbursement etc.) I've done this before, and have been treated extremely graciously. Think about it, no hotel really can be anything but horrified that they have bed bugs.
Resorting to lawyers should be the last, final resort. It's too bad that todays culture is all about bluster and vengeance. The only good side of it is that when you actually employ the "golden rule," many people are so happily surprised that they bend over backwards in their gratefulness.
I got poison ivy last summer, where's my millions?
Do not ever touch a tv remote in a hotel room, seriously! You don't want to know why, but can probably guess.
wow, isn't that nice of them.
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