Who pays for biohazard cleanup in Ohio?

If the cleanup follows a crime, the Ohio Attorney General's compensation program may help. Ohio Revised Code 2743.51 includes the cost of crime scene cleanup in the economic losses the program can consider: reasonable and necessary costs of cleaning the scene and repairing, for personal security, property damaged where the crime happened, up to a limit per claim set in the statute. Replacing clothing taken from a victim for medical care is included too.

The Attorney General's office lists these conditions for a new claim:

• the crime was reported to law enforcement
• the victim cooperated with law enforcement
• the victim was not committing a crime that caused the injury (except in homicide claims)
• the expenses are not fully covered by other sources such as insurance
• you are the victim, the dependent of a homicide victim, or responsible for some of the victim's expenses

Applications are due within three years of the crime (ORC 2743.56). The program pays only what insurance and other sources do not. Its own page says it generally can't pay for property expenses, so ask the program directly which cleanup costs it will consider for your claim. The statute also lets the estate of a deceased victim, or someone who paid the victim's bills, file.

Sources: Ohio Attorney General, Apply for Victims Compensation, ORC 2743.51, ORC 2743.56

This site does not quote prices. A company will look at:

• how large the affected area is and how many rooms are involved
• what soaked into: carpet, pad, subfloor, drywall or furniture usually has to be cut out and removed
• how long it was before anyone found it
• how much of the room's contents has to be thrown away
• how the waste has to be packaged and hauled
• access: stairs, crawl spaces, tight rooms or a vehicle

Ask for a written scope and price before work starts.