Debbie Barnett, Past President of Indiana Drycleaning Association and Past Board Member of IFI, is co-owner of two Indianapolis drycleaning businesses. Debbie understands firsthand the issues facing the industry today.
Q. What was it about EnviroForensics® ’ approach to environmental clean ups that made you sign a contract with EnviroForensics® on behalf of your father and your drycleaning business?
A. There were two big things that caught my attention. First, the ability to have historical insurance pay for site investigations and clean ups; and secondly, the professional guidance through the clean up process.
Q. You were already in the process of a cleanup when you met with EnviroForensics® , why did you switch consultants?
A. When EnviroForensics® entered the picture, we had just ordered the Phase II testing as was required by the prospective purchaser’s bank. At that point, the EnviroForensics® team worked the legal counsel that I already had previously retained. Almost a year later, EnviroForensics® hired more experienced counsel on my behalf. EnviroForensics® worked to find the insurance policies my parents held on the property. As of now, EnviroForensics® has taken the lead position with regard to pursuing the insurance claims because we were not satisfied with our legal counsel’s attempts to pursue our claims against our historical insurance companies. To date, the carriers have agreed to indemnify us for $500,000, so the financial burden has been removed.
Q. What are the fears many drycleaners have that can be addressed and possibly best remedied by signing on with EnviroForensics® ?
A. A drycleaner’s biggest fear is finding out their property is contaminated. Many drycleaners are aware of the high costs associated with remediations, and they fear losing all their assets to clean up their property. EnviroForensics® approach (using insurance dollars) is a new approach to a difficult problem. A secondary fear is that an adjoining property owner (or a landlord) will undergo soil testing (because of the proximity of a drycleaner) and ultimately sue the drycleaner for contaminating the property.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you can give other drycleaners?
A. Take the time NOW to find your insurance information and lock it away someplace safe. Don’t wait until you want to sell the business or property.
Q. What is the second best piece of advice you can give?
A. If you have any thought of retiring or selling your business, after you find the insurance information give EnviroForensics® a call. Let them see what kind of coverage you have available for a cleanup. Your environment liability will follow you even if you sell your business or property.
