Acknowledgement to XL Environmental
THE CLAIM
An XL insured chemical manufacturer received rail cars of sodium hydroxide on its rail spur, located on its property. While performing offloading operations, a large release of sodium hydroxide from a rail car occurred. The release was caused when a 2 inch hose dislodged from its connection coupling. More than 10,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide was released into a gravel area along the rail line. The spill entered drainage ditches on both sides of the rail line.
THE RESPONSE
XL’s environmental claims counsel and a technical consultant worked with our insured to coordinate and manage the clean-up of the pollution release at the insured’s location. XL claims counsel retained a hazmat contractor to remove more than 800 tons of contaminated soil and collect 35,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide water.
THE SOLUTION
The technical consultant worked closely with the insured to ensure that the remediation response was timely, performed properly and the insured’s property was returned to its pre-release condition. As a result of this release, XL paid $1,900,000 under our insured’s Pollution and Remediation Legal Liability Policy
to clean-up this pollution release.