MEDIA – A local man alleges that he was bitten by bed bugs during his three-day stay in an Econo Lodge hotel located in Delaware County two years ago, and has sued the hotel chain for damages he sustained.
Phouvieng Kotanone of Philadelphia filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 31 versus Econo Lodge Philadelphia Airport and Tinicum Lodging, Inc. of Lester, plus John Doe.
“On or about Nov. 1, 2020, and for some time prior thereto, defendants acting either individually or by and through their agents, servants, workmen, representatives and/or employees, acting as aforesaid, carelessly and negligently allowed a dangerous and defective condition, to wit allowing an infestation of bedbugs to manifest inside the premises and specifically, in the motel/hotel rooms and/or apartments located thereon. This condition was permitted to exist on premises at the aforesaid location for an unreasonable period of time,” the suit says.
“On or about Nov.1 2020 through Nov. 3 2020, plaintiff was a business invitee at the aforesaid premises as a result of renting a hotel/motel room from Nov. 1, 2020 through Nov. 3, 2020. On or about Nov. 1, 2020, while a business invitee of defendants at the aforesaid premises, plaintiff suffered multiple insect bites by reason of coming in contact with the aforementioned dangerous and defective condition at the aforesaid premises, thereby causing plaintiff to suffer the severe and permanent injuries and damages which form the basis for this action.”
The suit adds the aforesaid accident “was due solely to the negligence and carelessness of the defendants, acting as aforesaid, and was due in no manner whatsoever to any act or failure to act on the part of the plaintiff.”
“As a result of the negligence and carelessness of the defendants, plaintiff suffered injuries which are or may be serious and permanent in nature, including but not limited to, multiple insect bites, excessive itching, rashes, dermatitis, scarring and spots on plaintiff’s body, as well as other physical and psychological injuries and annoyances as may be diagnosed by plaintiff’s health care providers, all of which injuries have in the past, and may in the future, cause plaintiff great pain and suffering,” the suit states.
“As a further result of the negligence and carelessness of the defendants, plaintiff has been or will be required to receive and undergo medical attention and care and to expend various sums of money and to incur various expenses, including but not limited money spent on remediation efforts loss of furniture, loss of clothing and other sums and may be required to continue to expend such sums or incur such expenditures for an indefinite time in the future.”
For a single count of negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages not in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs and attorney’s fees.
The plaintiff is represented by Michael T. van der Veen of van der Veen Hartshorn & Levin, in Philadelphia.
The defendants have not yet secured legal counsel.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-2022-008142
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com