CATEGORY:
Biohazard / Crime Scene
Summary:
Biohazard cleanup services are necessary in situations where violent crimes, suicides, drug labs, hoarding, or accidental deaths have occurred. Attempting to clean these scenes yourself can be extremely dangerous and should be left to professional biohazard and remediation companies. Most major homeowners, business, or auto insurance policies cover the costs of crime cleanup or remediation services, but it's important to check with your insurer to understand the specifics of your policy. Biohazard cleanup services include cleaning and sanitizing the scene, but repairs or replacement of damaged items will need to be addressed separately with your insurance agent. In the event of a crime scene, it's important not to touch anything and to call the police immediately. Contact your insurance company to arrange for cleanup services and take photos of the scene to submit with your claim. Spaulding Decon is an industry leader in residential and commercial biohazard cleanup services and can assist in finding the best cleanup company in your area.
Each year, over 30,000 people die at home from accidents or poisoning. Thousands more experience the horror of having a violent crime committed on their property.
Have you experienced such a tragedy in your home or business? If so, you no doubt realize the importance of hiring a professional biohazard cleanup service. The question is: Who pays the bill? Are remediation services covered by insurance? Should you contact a biohazard cleanup company yourself, or will your insurance handle that for you? We’ll answer these important questions and more, so keep reading!
Even if you’re normally the DIY type, there are some types of cleaning that need professional attention.
In the event of a violent crime or suicide, there’s likely blood or other bodily fluids on the floors, walls, and furnishings. Once the police have finished their investigation, it’s up to the homeowner or business owner to “clean up” the scene. This includes removing biological materials, replacing damaged materials, and removing odors.
The same principles apply to commercial facilities that handle biohazardous materials. You may also need these types of cleaning services if your property was used as a drug lab or inhabited by hoarders. In any of these scenarios, it’s extremely dangerous to attempt cleanup efforts yourself. You’re unlikely to have the proper tools and protective equipment to do the job, and you could be exposed to deadly chemicals or pathogens in the process.
Your safest bet is to call in a professional biohazard and remediation company to make sure the job gets done right. This leads us to our next question: Who pays the bill?
Every insurer is different, so it’s impossible to say for certain what your policy includes. Generally speaking, though, most major homeowners insurance policies will cover the costs of crime cleanup or remediation services. The same is true for business insurance (if the event happens in your place of business) or your auto insurance (if the event occurs in your vehicle).
Of course, this isn’t something you usually discuss when you buy an insurance policy. If a crime or accidental death has occurred on your property, you’ll want to call your insurer and find out exactly what your policy includes. Keep in mind that some smaller or older insurance providers may not include this type of coverage in their policies.
For those that do, some insurers will arrange for and cover the cleaning costs upfront. Others may require you to schedule and pay for the costs, then submit a claim and wait for reimbursement. Your insurer may even provide a list of approved cleaning services they work with.
It’s important to know what biohazard cleanup services do (and do not) include. The company will clean and sanitize the scene from ceiling to floor, but they won’t restore every inch of your property to mint condition. If there are broken windows, soiled furnishings, or other damages, you’ll need to speak to your insurance agent about repairs or replacement.
Nothing can prepare you for the shock of discovering your home or office is the site of a violent crime, a chemical leak, or a similar disaster. Whatever situation you walk into, there are a few things you’ll want to do right away. Here’s a brief overview of the steps to take immediately after finding such a scene on your property.
If you walk into a crime scene, try not to panic. It’s all too common for people to unwittingly tamper with evidence by touching or moving things. The more you move around and disturb the scene, the more difficult it will be for the police and investigators to do their job.
Unless someone on the scene requires immediate assistance, leave the area and get to a safe place. You have no way of knowing if the perpetrator is still nearby, and your safety is the most important thing.
Once you’re in a safe location, call 911. Give the address where the incident happened and describe the scene. If someone was injured, let them know so they can send the appropriate medical teams to assist.
After contacting the police, call your insurance provider and explain what happened. They’ll instruct you on the next steps you should take to ensure the cleanup and repair costs will be covered. They may also provide a list of biohazard cleanup services you can contact (or they may contact one on your behalf).
This part works a little differently than it does in TV shows, as it’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to wander through the scene after the authorities arrive.
If possible, though, try to take pictures or videos of the scene and the damages. You may be able to do this when the authorities first arrive (be sure to ask for permission first). If it’s unsafe to enter the area, you can request photos from the investigators to submit to your insurance company. This will make it easier for you to file your claim and get reimbursed for the cleanup and restoration costs.
No homeowner or business owner ever thinks they’ll have to deal with biohazard cleanup on their property. If such a tragedy has happened to you, take a deep breath. Professional cleaning services are available, and there’s a good chance your insurance will cover some (or all) of the costs.
Armed with this knowledge, what’s next? Do you need to find the best remediation services in your locale? We’re here to help. Spaulding Decon is an industry leader in residential and commercial biohazard cleanup services. Click here to view our locations and we’ll help you find the best cleanup company in your area. You can also call us 24/7 at (833) 804-6600.
Blood can be a difficult and potentially dangerous substance to clean up. Whether it's due to a medical emergency, crime scene, or an accident, it's important to know how to properly clean and dispose of blood to minimize the risk of harm to yourself and others. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about cleaning up blood, from safety precautions to effective cleaning methods.
Coming into the scene of a suicide can be quite traumatic for anyone, especially family members of the deceased.If someone commits suicide on your property or another location, you will need to clean up the biohazard or remains as law enforcement does not do this. First you will need to call law enforcement to perform a thorough investigation. Once this is complete you should consider hiring biohazard experts as cleaning remains is an extensive job. This requires having safety protective gear, the right chemicals and equipment to clean thoroughly and experts to dispose of decomposition as you cannot just dump it in the trash.
Cleaning can be a tedious, messy, and rather challenging task, especially if you’re dealing with a biohazard environment. Many people take cleaning upon themselves as it seemingly looks simple and straightforward, but rudimentary cleaning knowledge will not suffice if you’re dealing with contaminated areas.
