FAQ

Whether from a criminal attack, self-inflicted wound, or delayed death discovery, the transmission of diseases is very real and should never be taken lightly. Many of these diseases cause either serious harm to health or possible death.  Lengthy hospital stays, extensive treatment, and doctors’ visits for these diseases are expensive, time consuming, and painful.  Additionally, you should consider that you’re not properly trained, nor have the right equipment and protection, specialized cleaners and disinfectants, able to eliminate odor entirely, or have sanitary disposal methods of biohazardous waste in place. As a result, the chance that you can render a scene sanitary and not continue to put others at risk is highly unlikely.  It’s unwise to put biohazardous waste out with the normal trash. Doing so places unsuspecting trash pick-up personnel, neighbors, or a passerby at risk.  Finally. perhaps more importantly is the emotional trauma you’ll may endure that can possibly last a lifetime or require additional therapy.  Nightmares and/or re-occurring disturbing thoughts are common. You’ve been through one trauma, why put yourself through another.

The purpose of every Biorecovery Company is to help families, love ones, and others avoid re-traumatizing themselves by having to do the clean-up on their own thereby relieving them of the painful burden of this difficult task.  Biorecovery is the abatement, remediation, and disposal of all infectious materials so that the scene can be restored to a safe and healthy environment.

They include crime scene, trauma, blood, suicide, delayed death discovery (decomposition), hoarder, gross filth and trashed house, animal droppings, auto biohazards, dead animal(s), electrocutions, human and pet waste, odor remediation or control, and infection outbreak clean-ups.

The property owner or the next-of-kin is responsible for the cleaning.  If the property is rented, then the renter is responsible for the decontamination of their personal contents but the property manager/owner is responsible for the cleaning of the structure as well as any items affixed to the structure.  The next-of-kin is responsible for the overall cleaning if they are taking ownership of the property, however any family member or person can be responsible for the clean-up if officially designated in writing by the next-of-kin.

That depends, as policies vary from home-to-home (it’s entirely policy dependent).  First, your policy needs to be current regarding all payments.  Speak to an Agent about your policy to see if the policy can allow you to open a claim.  If your claim is rejected, have the Agent specifically point out the clause(s) stating that your policy doesn’t allow a claim for such an incident.  Be aware that some insurance companies say “no” hoping that you will not challenge them and simply just accept their answer.  Don’t stand for that!  Select a Biorecovery Company that is homeowner’s insurance savvy to assist you.

First, make sure the company is properly certified, highly trained, and fully OSHA compliant.  Peruse the company’s website and, if they don’t highlight or tout their certifications and trainings, steer clear of them.  Texas is an unregulated state, therefore, there are many companies which only meet the minimum requirement (blood-borne certified), the lowest form of certification to work in this field. This low level of certification doesn’t necessarily ensure the work will be done properly or safely.  The better the certifications and trainings a company has suggests they can perform the work properly and safely while using minimally invasive techniques to the structure of a room or house.  Just as important, ensure they are compassionate, thorough, possess a high degree of integrity, and properly insured and bonded.

Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service personnel have been properly certified, trained, and equipped to handle biohazardous waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and has a legally accepted mechanism in place to dispose of all recovered biohazardous waste.  In general, where maid services’ end, Biorecovery Company’s services begin.

Skilled labor rates vary from company-to-company.  On average rates can range, depending on the type of cleaning needed, from $125-$250 per hour/per certified Biorecovery Technician. Other factors may include or be taken into consideration are:  the use of specialty cleaners, disinfectants and cleaning equipment, the transportation and disposal of biohazardous waste, replacement of contaminated tools and materials, personal protective equipment, and the high cost of liability and health insurance.

This will vary greatly depending on the scope of work and from company-to-company depending on training and expertise. Biorecovery Companies are only trained to decontaminate and remove the biological material from the premises.  Such work may require the removal of carpet, sheetrock, wood or tile flooring, furniture, personal belongings, bedding/box spring/mattress, clothes or anything that has trace amounts of biological tissue anywhere present.  Either replacing or fixing damaged surfaces will fall within the contract holder or the insurance company’s.  All work should be explained and approved ahead of time to eliminate any surprises.

Yes, but the Biorecovery Company eventually must also seek authorization from the occupant or next-of-kin to decontaminate and dispose of his/her contents.  If contacting the occupant or next-of-kin becomes too difficult, the Biorecovery Company can remove the items and store the contents of the occupant in properly marked bio-hazardous containers until reached.  Then the cleaning of the dwelling can go as scheduled.

Biorecovery Companies do not provide counseling or act in place of a therapist. Most Biorecovery Companies do not repair or rebuild any damaged areas, although there are times when work can be subcontracted.

Immediately after the decontamination and restoration process has been completed.

Most people do not fully understand exactly how dangerous this type work is; and it’s this fact alone as to why Biorecovery Companies charge considerably more than maid companies.  Here are a few of those dangers:

Hepatitis A – carried through human feces; Very hardy virus
Hepatitis B – spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids; can survive for up to 7 days
Hepatitis C – carried through blood and some bodily fluids; can survive for 3 weeks
HIV/AIDS – carried through blood and some bodily fluids but dies quickly outside of the body
MRSA – touching objects that have the bacteria; becoming gravely ill
E-Coli – found in feces causing diarrhea, hemorrhage, and dehydration
C-Diff – carried through feces of carrier/infected person causing diarrhea and life-threatening inflammation of the colon; hardest to kill compared to all the others
Dry blood is equally as dangerous as Wet blood.
Decomposition Odor is not a health threat – only acts as an irritant.