A harrowing stay at a Sacramento hotel has led to a lawsuit over bedbug bites and alleged negligence. The complaint, filed by Tybyu Burch in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento on July 31, 2024, names Vince’s Motel, Vinces Motel Inc., Anand I Patel, Peter Patel, and other unnamed defendants as responsible parties.
According to the filing, Burch checked into Vince’s Motel on August 1, 2022. By the next day, he discovered numerous bites on his body but did not initially know their cause. It wasn't until later that he identified bedbugs in his room along with cockroaches and other insects. Despite reporting the issue to hotel management and subsequent cleaning efforts by housekeeping staff, the infestation persisted. Burch ultimately checked out on August 14, 2022, after attempting to treat the room himself with insecticide.
The complaint alleges that the defendants were aware of previous bedbug infestations but failed to eradicate them or inform guests like Burch about these issues. The plaintiff claims this negligence led to severe physical and emotional distress. “Defendants deliberately chose not to notify or otherwise failed to notify Plaintiff of the presence of Cimex lectularius in Plaintiff's room,” reads one part of the complaint.
Burch is seeking general and specific damages for medical costs incurred due to bedbug bites and ongoing physical and emotional scarring. He also seeks punitive damages for what he describes as willful neglect by the hotel management. The legal action cites multiple causes including battery, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraudulent concealment, private nuisance, public nuisance, and breach of contract.
Represented by attorney Ilan N. Rosen Janfaza from Beverly Hills-based Law Offices of Ilan N. Rosen Janfaza A.P.C., Burch demands a jury trial for all issues raised in his complaint. The case has been assigned Case No. S40¥0O01TSs4e under unlimited jurisdiction.