Alana Korol

November 6, 2019

In 2012, Lilliana Martinez moved to a unit in Inglewood, California, with her husband and their 3-year-old son, Jorge, shortly after Jorge started getting itchy red spots all over his face and body every morning.  

The Martinezes took Jorge to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with bed bug bites. The physician advised them to go home and thoroughly inspect their home for the insects. And bingo! They found that their apartment was ambushed with bed bugs. 

Lillian said, "As soon as I found out, I was horrified because I had never seen something like that before." 

Sadly, their three-month-old daughter had also been attacked by these bloodsuckers. She displayed bite marks on her back while she slept. After contacting the management company, Westland Industries, she was instructed to remove all furniture, including the child's crib. Westland then sent professionals to fumigate the whole unit with white powder that coated every room.  

They only had one small area to sleep in while the supposed "treatment" worked. Even after the fumigation, the bed bug bites continued, and then, if bed bugs weren't enough, they were graced with roaches. Ick! Four months later, the management company finally replaced the unit's carpet, and they were bug-free. 

While enduring this traumatic lifestyle, they suffered from property damage, sleeplessness, and emotional distress. Jorge suffered permanent scars on his torso, legs, and arms. 

After two more years of living there, they finally moved out. Then, they sued Amusement Six Apartments for breach of contract, breach of warranty of habitability, negligence, and emotional distress. In 2018, they were awarded $1.6 million in damages. 

The parents plan to use the settlement money to remove Jorge's scars, which is very costly.