A California resident has filed a lawsuit against a major hotel chain and its affiliates, alleging severe personal injury and emotional distress due to bedbug bites sustained during her stay. Brittany Dowdy filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, on August 16, 2024, against Choice Hotels International, Inc., Quality Inn & Suites South San Jose / Morgan Hill, Sunbake LLC, Avtar Judge, and other unnamed defendants.
The lawsuit centers around an incident that occurred on August 19-20, 2022. Dowdy checked into the Quality Inn & Suites South San Jose / Morgan Hill and woke up the next morning with severe itching and numerous bedbug bites across her body. Upon inspecting her bed, she discovered blood specks on the mattress. Despite reporting her injuries to hotel management, Dowdy claims that her concerns were dismissed. She later sought medical attention at Kaiser Permanente on August 29, 2022, where she was diagnosed with infected bedbug bites.
Dowdy alleges that the defendants were aware of a prior bedbug infestation in the hotel but failed to eradicate it or inform guests about it. The complaint states that "Defendants deliberately chose not to inspect or otherwise ensure that Plaintiff's room was free of Cimex lectularius ('bedbugs') immediately before Plaintiff's stay at the hotel." The plaintiff also claims that the hotel's management did not implement adequate policies and procedures to prevent such infestations or train their staff properly.
The lawsuit includes multiple causes of action: battery, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraudulent concealment, private nuisance, public nuisance, and breach of contract. Dowdy asserts that these actions have caused her significant physical pain and emotional suffering. She is seeking general and specific damages for medical expenses and other costs incurred due to the incident. Additionally, she is asking for punitive damages to punish the defendants for their alleged willful disregard for guest safety.
Representing Brittany Dowdy is Ilan N. Rosen Janfaza from the Law Offices of Ilan N. Rosen Janfaza A.P.C., based in Beverly Hills. The case has been assigned Case No. 24CV445359 and will be presided over by Judge J. Nguyen.