This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1889. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Washington. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

The contamination at this property — PAHs, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons tied to nearly nine decades of sawmill operations — traces directly to industrial activity that predates 1986 by decades. Occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies in force during the mill's long operational history carried no effective pollution exclusion under Washington law and remain enforceable today. The documented remediation expenditures here — demolition of industrial structures, asbestos removal, soil excavation, and substantial future cleanup work yet to be completed — represent both costs already incurred and liabilities still accruing that historical carriers may be obligated to fund.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.