This property has a documented history as a dry cleaning facility going back to 1951. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup.

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.

Dry cleaning operations at Laurelhurst Cleaners began in 1951 — more than three decades before 1986, the year occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies with no effective pollution exclusion stopped being the industry standard. The halogenated solvent contamination confirmed at this property is the product of a slow, ongoing subsurface release tied directly to those pre-1986 operations. The investigation and remediation costs this property now faces could plausibly be funded by historical carriers whose policies were in force during the years those solvents were being released next door.

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.