This property has a documented history as a dry cleaning facility predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the ongoing and future cleanup under Oregon DEQ oversight.

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 Oregon — and those policies may provide coverage that remains enforceable today. 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 TCE and PCE contamination at this site originated from dry-cleaning operations conducted before 1986, which released chlorinated solvents into groundwater and generated a plume that has migrated approximately 3,000 feet to affect residential drinking water wells in the Lawndale neighborhood of Benton County. With the plume extent still undefined and Oregon DEQ directing ongoing well monitoring, wellhead filtration maintenance, and potential extension of city water service to affected residents, pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during the dry cleaner's operating years may be obligated to fund those costs going forward.

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.