SCOTRUN, PA – A Connecticut family claims they woke up covered in insect bites from a bed bug infestation during an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge of the Poconos, according to a premises liability lawsuit now heading to a jury trial in Monroe County.

Jin Okkyoung and YoungHo Joo of Newington, Connecticut checked into the popular Scotrun water park resort on June 27, 2023 for a family vacation. By the next morning, they and their family members had suffered insect bites they attribute to bed bugs the resort allegedly failed to prevent or address.

The couple is suing for skin irritation, medical expenses, emotional distress, and property contamination. A jury trial is scheduled for January 2027.

Upcoming Court Date:

• January 19, 2027, 8:30 a.m. – Jury Selection

Five Counts Against the Resort

The lawsuit, filed June 30, 2025 in Monroe County Court of Common Pleas, includes five counts: negligence, breach of contract, breach of the implied warranty of habitability, negligent and/or fraudulent misrepresentation, and loss of consortium.

The complaint originally named four defendants—Great Wolf Lodge of the Poconos LLC, Great Wolf Resorts Holding Inc., Blackstone Real Estate Partners IX, and CenterBridge Partners LP. Three were dismissed by stipulation on July 17, 2025, leaving Great Wolf Lodge of the Poconos LLC as the sole defendant.

Great Wolf Lodge Fights Back

The resort filed preliminary objections in August 2025, seeking to dismiss three of the five counts.

Defense attorneys argue the breach of contract claim fails because the plaintiffs never attached any contract or identified specific terms that were breached—only vague references to an “agreement.”

On the implied warranty of habitability, the defense contends this legal doctrine protects long-term residential tenants, not overnight hotel guests. Even if it applied, Pennsylvania law limits remedies to contract-based relief—not the personal injury damages the family seeks.

The resort also challenges the misrepresentation claim, arguing the plaintiffs failed to specify who made false statements, what was said, when, where, or whether anyone knew the statements were false. Pennsylvania law requires fraud claims to be pled with particularity.

The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint September 2, 2025. Great Wolf Lodge answered September 22.

Recent Developments

A motion to withdraw as counsel was filed November 17, 2025, with Judge David J. Williamson signing an order that same day. The court placed the case on a standard litigation track December 1, 2025.

Case Number: 004077-CV-2025

Court: Monroe County Court of Common Pleas

Judge: Hon. David J. Williamson

Plaintiffs: Jin Okkyoung and YoungHo Joo, h/w

Defendant: Great Wolf Lodge of the Poconos, LLC

Plaintiffs’ Counsel: Jimmy Chong, Esq.

Defense Counsel: Heather M. Eichenbaum, Esq., Spector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C.

Case Status: Active

Jury Selection: January 19, 2027

Civil litigation involves allegations not yet proven in court. All parties are entitled to present their case.