This property has a documented history as a dry cleaning facility going back to 1950. 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 this property began in the 1950s — more than three decades before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies routinely carried no effective pollution exclusion. The two PCE plumes and associated chlorinated breakdown products documented in soil and groundwater here are the direct legacy of those historical operations. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies to Triangle Cleaners, One-Hour Martinizing, or the mall operators during that pre-1986 window may be obligated to fund the investigation, dewatering, source removal, and remediation costs the property has yet to fully incur.

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.