Norfolk Southern will pay out $600 million as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement from a February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
The derailment spilled over a million pounds of chemicals into the surrounding land, air, and water, temporarily displacing residents and businesses as far as 20 miles away from the crash. Since then, people in the area have reported numerous health problems, including swollen lymph nodes, chest heaviness, and a burning sensation in their eyes.
The settlement announced in a court filing on April 9 combines 31 separate cases, and allows for additional compensation for residents who were within 10 miles of the derailment. In many of those lawsuits, plaintiffs accused Norfolk Southern of negligence, and claimed that not enough was done to mitigate the impact of the toxic chemicals that spilled from the train.
In a statement issued by Norfolk Southern, the company clarified that its settlement agreement does not mean they’re admitting liability. Payments are expected to go out by the end of 2024.
