This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1980. 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.

The electroplating operations at this property ran from 1980 to 1983 — squarely within the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion. Heavy metals discharged through years of daily effluent disposal now require remediation, and those cleanup costs have yet to be incurred. Historical carriers whose CGL policies covered MELCO's operations during that pre-1986 window may be obligated to fund the investigation and remediation expenses this site now faces.

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.