HOUSTON – Two patrons have filed a negligence lawsuit against the Extended Stay America Suites in Houston, claiming that the hotel knowingly rented them a room with a bedbug infestation.
Plaintiffs Brenda Ruiz and Brian Baker, residents of Tomball, filed a lawsuit in Harris County District Court against Houston HWY 290 ES, LLC, doing business as Extended Stay America Suites, citing allegations of negligence and breach of contract in violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
According to court documents, in February 2023, the plaintiffs checked in as guests at the Extended Stay America Suites in Houston. They allege that during their stay, they began to notice painful, irritated lesions all over their bodies. The plaintiffs claim that they investigated the room and discovered bedbugs on the bedding.
According to the plaintiffs, they notified hotel staff of the bedbug infestation and were told that the hotel staff were aware of a pre-existing infestation. The plaintiffs state that had they known the property was infested by bedbugs, they would not have stayed there.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of several acts of negligence, including failing to rent a property in safe condition, failing to properly inspect and clean the property, and failing to properly notify the plaintiff of the risk of bedbug infestation.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, lost wages, property damage, and medical costs, plus interest, court costs, and any other relief the court deems proper. According to the lawsuit, since the defendants knowingly and intentionally violated the DTPA, the plaintiffs are also entitled to treble damages.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Daniel V. Rice of the Rice Law Firm in The Woodlands.
Harris County District Court case number 2023-82110 / Court: 281