From Nov. 9, 2011 to Nov. 11, 2011, plaintiff Mark Seif, 47, a professional poker player, stayed at the Chariot Inn in Glendale. Seif claimed that on the first morning of his stay, he began to become itchy. On the second morning, he observed red bumps on his face, neck, arms and legs. He believed that the bumps were from bug bites. Thus, Seif claimed that the hotel was infested with bedbugs. Seif sued Chariot Inn, alleging that the hotel’s actions constituted negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, and fraud. Seif contended that the Chariot Inn failed to properly maintain its hotel. He claimed that since the inn had a prior bedbug complaint, it should have implemented bedbug inspection procedures, including written procedures. He also claimed that the inn failed to take advantage of a free bedbug inspection service that Orkin offered, failed to adequately inspect the guest rooms, and failed to notify potential guests of a bedbug problem. Chariot Inn claimed that the premises were properly cared for. Defense counsel argued that the bedbug complaint that was made one year prior was unfounded and that no bedbugs were ever observed by anyone at the property, including Seif. Counsel contended that Chariot Inn had protocols for the inspection of the rooms for all pests and that the inn had a regular treatment service with Orkin. Thus, defense counsel argued that Seif did not have definitive evidence that there were bedbugs in the room and that the Los Angeles Housing Department found the complaint “unfounded.”, Seif claimed he suffered bug bites to his face, arms, legs, and neck that itched, oozed and bled. He ultimately went to an urgent care facility on Nov. 14, 2011, and obtained itch cream. However, he claimed the bites lasted for more than eight weeks. Seif claimed that he could not enter tournaments or live poker play because of the itchy spots that allegedly made him look unattractive. He alleged that by the virtue of taking time off, he lost his gambling “edge” for an alleged loss of over $1 million. Seif also claimed that he needed to discard $18,000 worth of furniture from his home because of the alleged bedbugs. In addition to seeking recovery of $1 million in lost earnings and $18,000 in property loss, Seif sought recovery of $100,000 in damages for his emotional distress. Defense counsel contended that there was no evidence of bedbugs following Seif home or even being seen in Seif’s home.