The allegations center around the pair’s stay at the motel at 38 S. Allison Ave. on Oct. 3, 2008. The suit said the room was severely infested with Cimex Lectularius (bed bugs) and that the plaintiffs were bitten and injured while sleeping.
The suit alleges three counts of negligence and three counts of fraudulent concealment. The document said the pair incurred “expensive medical bills” and that the motel was “aware of the existence of insects” in the plaintiffs’ guest rooms.
For all six counts, the plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $75,000 each. For the fraudulent concealment, the plaintiffs also seek punitive damages.
Ohio has been affected by bed bugs more than most states in the past couple years. The suit says the insects are associated with unsanitary living conditions and poor housekeeping. It states also bed bugs lay eggs in furniture, bedding, upholstery and that they feed on human and animal blood and leave a distinctive odor and fecal stains.
The Knights Inn in Xenia is not a Better Business Bureau accredited motel, but has earned an “A” rating from the Dayton BBB and that organization reports just one complaint of the Knights Inn in the past 36 months. Internet reviews grade the business much lower.
Brian C. Thomas of Graydon Head & Ritchey, the plaintiffs’ attorney, had no comment about the suit. A message left for Jain was not immediately returned.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author