This property has a documented history as a dry cleaning facility going back to 1954. 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.

Dry-cleaning operations at this property began in 1954 and continued for nearly seven decades, placing the origin of PCE contamination more than thirty years before 1986. With contamination confirmed across five environmental media and vapor intrusion impacting indoor air, the ongoing investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring directed by Oregon DEQ represent substantial cleanup costs that lie ahead, and pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during those operational years may be obligated to fund them.

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.