4 Questions That People Have About Trauma Scene Cleanup Scenes that have to do with violent incidents, unattended deaths, and similar situations call for cleaning that’s above and beyond what is offered by basic cleaning services. In order to ensure the site is safe for use again, you will want to hire professionals who are trained in trauma scene cleanup strategies and procedures. You likely have questions about this type of work and what it could mean for you. Here are four of the more common questions that people ask.
Trauma scene cleanup
What’s Considered a Trauma Cleanup?
Trauma has to do with any type of severe event. A trauma clean-up refers to the series of tasks that must be performed in order to restore a site to its condition prior to the traumatic event. This could mean cleaning up after a crime, a death that is not discovered for several days, or even damage caused as part of a break-in and the defacement of the walls and floor. In short, if something occurred that has left lasting damage and has the potential to cause ongoing emotional anguish to the property owner, there is trauma present. The cleanup simply seeks to make things as right as possible under the circumstances.
How Long Does It Take to Begin the Cleaning?
Many scene cleaning services will begin to work with clients before the police are finished with the scene. This may include making a preliminary assessment of the site, assuming the authorities will allow someone to enter the space. This makes it possible to begin assembling the supplies and equipment needed. The service can also assign enough personnel to take care of the cleaning. Once the scene is released for cleaning, it’s not unusual for a team to move in and begin the task in a matter of hours. The goal is usually to monitor the situation and be prepared to start as soon as the authorities no longer want the scene to remain intact.
How Long Does the Cleanup Take?
The amount of time needed to thoroughly clean and deodorize a trauma site depends on the severity of the damage. In many cases, it’s possible to complete the task in a single day or at best two days. If there’s significant seepage of body fluids into the wood and other surfaces, there may be additional work that must be done. When a member of the team assesses the site and gets an idea of what must be done, it’s possible to project the amount of time needed to complete the trauma scene cleanup. Keep in mind that if any unforeseen issue is uncovered during the cleaning, the task may take longer than the estimated time.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of the Cleanup?
Knowing how to pay for the scene cleanup is often a concern of property owners. One of the first things to check is the provisions found within a property insurance policy. Clauses that have to do with repairing property damage are often considered applicable in this type of situation. Many cleanup services have personnel who can help with filing claims with insurance providers. This can mean that the client has to pay very little out of pocket, at least upfront. Once the claim is accepted and paid, there may or may not be a balance remaining.
If you need help cleaning a scene, feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. Once you have the answers that you seek, it’s easy enough to settle on the terms and arrange for the cleaning to begin as soon as possible.