Rabies Exposure: Landlord or Tenant Responsible for Medical Expenses

[Anonymous]

I can't believe so many people think they know the protocol when a bat is in the house. Every.single.time a public health official will tell you to get vaccinated and every.single.time it will be at the ER. The OP did nothing wrong, but the landlord should not have to pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe so many people think they know the protocol when a bat is in the house. Every.single.time a public health official will tell you to get vaccinated and every.single.time it will be at the ER. The OP did nothing wrong, but the landlord should not have to pay.

Yes they should. Treble damages plus emotional toll and CPPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't believe the Health Department doesn't pick up the cost.

I think you have a tough case against the landlord if they acted quickly to address the situation.

I think I'd be appealing with my insurance and sending the bill to the NPR bill of the month series and local news. Ridiculous.

Why would the health department pick up the cost? There’s an established protocol for a bat expose while sleeping. They followed the protocol.

Because it's in the interest of public health that we don't have people dying of rabies. Cost should not be a barrier to treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe so many people think they know the protocol when a bat is in the house. Every.single.time a public health official will tell you to get vaccinated and every.single.time it will be at the ER. The OP did nothing wrong, but the landlord should not have to pay.

Thank you.

This thread is full on insane.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Except the landlord should pay if their brain hasn’t been ravaged by rabies. Pay and say thank you for not getting sued for serious damages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the landlord knew about the hole and ignored it you'd have a case, but there's no evidence of that here

Is there a VA tenant-landlord law you can point me to that confirms your response?

Subject to other things that could be in your lease, or from your city, neither of which we have...

VA law: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-residential-landlord-and-tenant-act/

See section 55.1-1220 - Fit premises: "The landlord shall perform the duties imposed by subsection A in accordance with law; however, the landlord shall only be liable for the tenant's actual damages proximately caused by the landlord's failure to exercise ordinary care."

"Ordinary care" means what a reasonable human would do. A reasonable human does not proactively inspect houses for bat holes. They fix bat holes they become aware of quickly.

Totally disagree. Having an attic that is protected from vermin entering by flight or fight is ordinary care. What hellhole do you think the law is describing!

You’ve apparently never owned a house before. Bats can get through very, very small holes. Same with mice.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bats/exclusion.html#:~:text=Bats%20can%20enter%20through%20holes,has%20shrunk%2C%20warped%20or%20loosened.

Bats can enter through holes as small as 3/8" (the diameter of a dime) or spaces 3/8" by 7/8". Typical entry points include chimneys, louver fans, air intakes, exhaust vents, openings around plumbing, power or cable lines, spaces around doors and windows and where exterior siding has shrunk, warped or loosened.

[Anonymous]

[google]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't believe the Health Department doesn't pick up the cost.

I think you have a tough case against the landlord if they acted quickly to address the situation.

I think I'd be appealing with my insurance and sending the bill to the NPR bill of the month series and local news. Ridiculous.

Why would the health department pick up the cost? There’s an established protocol for a bat expose while sleeping. They followed the protocol.

Because it's in the interest of public health that we don't have people dying of rabies. Cost should not be a barrier to treatment.

It wasn’t a barrier for OP. She paid it. She just wants to stick her landlord with the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the landlord knew about the hole and ignored it you'd have a case, but there's no evidence of that here

Is there a VA tenant-landlord law you can point me to that confirms your response?

Subject to other things that could be in your lease, or from your city, neither of which we have...

VA law: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-residential-landlord-and-tenant-act/

See section 55.1-1220 - Fit premises: "The landlord shall perform the duties imposed by subsection A in accordance with law; however, the landlord shall only be liable for the tenant's actual damages proximately caused by the landlord's failure to exercise ordinary care."

"Ordinary care" means what a reasonable human would do. A reasonable human does not proactively inspect houses for bat holes. They fix bat holes they become aware of quickly.

The law says you must maintain a pest free house.

Totally disagree. Having an attic that is protected from vermin entering by flight or fight is ordinary care. What hellhole do you think the law is describing!

You’ve apparently never owned a house before. Bats can get through very, very small holes. Same with mice.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bats/exclusion.html#:~:text=Bats%20can%20enter%20through%20holes,has%20shrunk%2C%20warped%20or%20loosened.

Bats can enter through holes as small as 3/8" (the diameter of a dime) or spaces 3/8" by 7/8". Typical entry points include chimneys, louver fans, air intakes, exhaust vents, openings around plumbing, power or cable lines, spaces around doors and windows and where exterior siding has shrunk, warped or loosened.

[Anonymous]

Under Virginia law, landlords must adhere to all public health and safety regulations along with building codes. In turn, this means addressing pest infestations to preserve habitability even in instances where the tenant is responsible. That said, failing to do so could leave the landlord open to liability

Pay and say thank you, landlord, it's the best offer you are going to get

[Anonymous]

The department of public health should pick up the cost. I hadn't thought of that. If the flu vaccine is free*, why wouldn't this one also be free?

*I mean, I know someone is paying for it, but it's free to the consumer and is in the best interest of public health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised the vaccine is that expensive, after insurance. Shoudn't insurance pick up the cost for such things? Needing the vaccine is very unlikely, but you wouldn't get it unless a doctor or public health person ordered.

Welcome to the USA where the healthcare system is literally a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Under Virginia law, landlords must adhere to all public health and safety regulations along with building codes. In turn, this means addressing pest infestations to preserve habitability even in instances where the tenant is responsible. That said, failing to do so could leave the landlord open to liability

Pay and say thank you, landlord, it's the best offer you are going to get

One bat that is promptly addressed is not an infestation.

[Anonymous]

Why isn’t your health insurance paying?!

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t matter. Intelligent landlord would settle. Give them a free week or two of rent, a bonus month even. And move on.

I’d personally love to see this lawsuit. And read the comments from the bat lovers. And the people who think bats are cute. And the ones who think the CDC is overreacting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why isn’t your health insurance paying?!

I am also surprised that out of pocket cost is also $2k but maybe that includes base charges for an ER trip. For five people that could explain it.