This property has a documented history as an industrial and manufacturing facility predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the multi-phase investigation and remediation work ahead under Wisconsin DNR 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 Wisconsin — 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.

Industrial operations at this property — including iron foundry production, vegetable canning, and the use of underground storage tanks installed in 1949 and 1954 — spanned most of the 20th century, with contamination from foundry sand fill, petroleum releases to Spring Creek, and industrial process wastes occurring well before 1986. The ongoing site investigation approved by Wisconsin DNR, together with the groundwater remediation, sediment evaluation, and site-wide cleanup required under the Environmental Remediation Program across this 145-acre area, represent substantial future costs that historical pre-1986 carriers may be obligated 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.