Category: Drycleaners

Environmental Corner

Posted on by shenshaw

Written by Steve Henshaw, P.G., President and CEO, EnviroForensics
As seen in the October 2008 issue of Western Cleaner & Launderer

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Over the past few years, Randy Wendt, the editor of Western Cleaners and Launderers, and I have talked about various environmental issues that threaten the financial viability of operating a dry cleaning business.  Last month Randy asked if I would be willing to prepare periodic articles for this publication focusing on educating dry cleaners about these various issues.  As a staunch supporter of the dry cleaner industry, I am pleased to share my experiences and thoughts with readers, in an effort to demystify the topic of environmental contamination, the process of site investigations, describe different remedial alternatives, and provide insight on ways to protect you from this long tail liability.  I welcome your feedback and topic requests. Continue reading “Environmental Corner”

Insurance Archaeology – What is it and Why is it Beneficial?

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

Published in Fabricare The Magazine of Drycleaning & Laundry Institute Sep/Oct 2008

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Insurance archeology is the process of location and finding historical insurance policies that covered individuals and businesses. Historical insurance can be a huge benefit to drycleaners, as old policies can be used to pay for costs associated with soil and groundwater contamination investigations, legal representation, and even the cleanup of contaminated sits. Continue reading “Insurance Archaeology – What is it and Why is it Beneficial?”

Finding Gold In Discarded Policies

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

By Neela Eyunni
As Published in Law Week Colorado, Sept. 1, 2008, Vol. 6, No. 35

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DENVER—Archeologist David O’Neill meticulously sifts trough historical artifacts in an attempt to reconstruct the past, O’Neill, however, isn’t searching for fossils or prehistoric creatures. Instead, he’s looking for old insurance policies.

O’Neill is the director of Policy Find, an insurance “archeology” firm that recovers lost insurance policies to provide indemnity for clients struggling with long-term claims, various state courts have evolved to revive general and product liability insurance policies that were once considered expired, said O’Neill.
“These lost or discarded policies have he potential to fund costly environmental investigations or pay product liability defense costs, often saving corporate and small business policyholders from economic ruin,” he said. Continue reading “Finding Gold In Discarded Policies”

With DERF Deadline Looming, Old CGL Insurance can be Vital Protection

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

Published in Wisconsin Fabricare Institute’s Impressions July/August 2008 issue

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As most dry cleaners know, the deadline to enter sites into the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Fund (DERF) Program is quickly approaching. Simply stated, if soil and groundwater samples are not collected at your site and you have not entered you site into the DERF program by August 30, 2008, you will not be eligible with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Continue reading “With DERF Deadline Looming, Old CGL Insurance can be Vital Protection”

Dry Cleaners Find Toxins on Property

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

Written By Mercedes Rodriguez
As Published in The Herald-Times July 13, 2008

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Steve Arthur, owner of Bloomington Cleaners, recently had his business crawling with tiny backhoes and excavators, with workmen tearing up the concrete, all to remove a dangerous chemical from the property.

Arthur closed up the dry cleaning business he has owned since 1992 the week of June 30, and had 120 tons of soil contaminated by perchloroethylene—known as perc—trucked away. “Part of it was being a good citizen, and part of it is protecting the value of the property,” Arthur said.

The building on West 17th Street has been a dry cleaners for more than 35 years, Arthur said, and years ago some dry cleaning chemicals could have leaked from old machinery or been spilled. Continue reading “Dry Cleaners Find Toxins on Property”