Waldorf bitten by another bedbug lawsuit

NEW YORK—The Waldorf Astoria is in bedbug hell. A rash of recent accusations from former guests of the hotel who say they were bitten while staying there will no doubt hurt business.

A Michigan family stepped forward on Thursday to share their story with the public—and to sue the landmark hotel.

According to their lawyer, Alan Schnurman, who is filing a lawsuit in Supreme Court of New York County on Thursday, the family brought bedbugs back to Plymouth, Mich., with them and were forced to evacuate their home for six weeks while it was treated for an infestation.

David and Christine Drabicki attended a press conference at their lawyer's office on Thursday at 11 a.m. to answer questions from the media. According to their lawyer, the couple woke up in their hotel room to find bedbug bites all over them. The hotel changed their room and gave them complimentary spa treatments. Ms. Drabicki had an allergic reaction to the bites—and there are graphic photos of her red, bitten torso.

The bedbugs were in their luggage and then infected their two daughters at home.

The Waldorf says it did not find evidence of bedbugs in the Drabickis’ room. "The Waldorf Astoria takes allegations of bedbugs very seriously because the safety and well-being of our guests is of paramount importance," the hotel said in a statement. "While we typically do not comment on pending litigation, we will share that the hotel took the guestroom in question out of service and had it inspected by an outside specialist. The official inspection reports stated there was no evidence or indication of bedbugs."

Last month, a Florida woman says she was bitten by the critters at the posh hotel while on a business trip; and last week a Long Island mother, Susanne Igneri, filed a complaint against the hotel alleging that she brought bedbugs home with her after a stay at the Waldorf.

Lisa Fickenscher is a reporter for Crain’s New York Business, a sister publication of Business Insurance.