Alleged bedbug victim sues Fla. hotel

TAMPA, Fla., July 30 (UPI) -- A woman has filed a lawsuit against an Orlando, Fla., hotel claiming she was bitten by bedbugs when she stayed there two years ago.

Kimberly Ann DeRoche of Tampa, Fla., says the night she spent at the Rodeway Inn International left her with 30 to 40 embarrassing scars on her legs and torso, The Tampa Tribune reported Wednesday.

DeRoche is seeking a minimum of $15,000 in damages from Rodeway Inn and its owner, Rosen Hotels.

Her complaint charges the hotel was negligent in failing to prevent "the entrance and the breeding on the premises" of bed bugs.

"This isn't your average bedbug bite," said DeRoche's attorney Stephen Igou of Orlando. "Each and every bite got infected with (a bacterial infection) and each bite left a permanent scar."

Rodeway officials said they would comment on the suit later.