This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility going back to 1944. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.

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.

Contamination at this facility originated from military operations that began in 1944 — more than four decades before occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies gave way to claims-made forms with pollution exclusions. The range of contaminants detected across groundwater, sediment, and surface water — including PCBs, halogenated solvents, and heavy metals — reflects the kind of sustained, multi-decade release pattern that pre-1986 CGL policies were structured to cover. With remedial construction complete and performance monitoring ongoing, the documented cleanup expenditures and continuing monitoring costs represent obligations that historical carriers from the pre-1986 operational window may be required to fund.

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.