A federal judge has approved a $600 million class action settlement over the Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many residents are unsure how much they will receive from the deal. The settlement resolves claims against the railroad and other defendants involved in the lawsuit, such as the rail car owners and chemical manufacturer responsible for the vinyl chloride released after the derailment. There is confusion regarding possible future lawsuits against government entities, although pending lawsuits by the EPA and Ohio are not affected by the settlement. The agreement addresses all damage claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment and personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius, but there is no provision for potential future health costs.
Residents near the derailment are still experiencing health issues more than a year after the incident, and fears about long-term health implications of chemical exposure remain. The amount individuals receive from the settlement will vary based on their proximity to the derailment and the impact it had on them. While some residents are concerned that the compensation may not be sufficient, attorneys involved in the case suggest that the ultimate amount families receive could be larger once individual factors are considered. Legal fees for the attorneys could total up to $162 million, pending approval from the judge.
Norfolk Southern provided $21.4 million in direct assistance to families who had to temporarily relocate after the derailment, and this assistance will be deducted from the settlement they receive. A dedicated claims center will be opened in East Palestine to help residents request their share of the settlement, and community meetings will be held to further explain the details of the deal. Residents who are not satisfied with the settlement have until July 1 to opt out of the agreement and preserve their right to file an individual lawsuit. This will allow them time to review the NTSB’s final report on the derailment, which will be released at a hearing on June 25 in East Palestine.
The NTSB has indicated that the derailment was likely caused by an overheating bearing on one of the train cars, which was not detected in time by the railroad’s monitoring system. The NTSB also stated that the tank cars filled with vinyl chloride did not need to be blown open to prevent an explosion, as they were cooling off despite the fire burning around them. The settlement aims to provide compensation to residents affected by the derailment, taking into account property damage and personal injuries within a certain radius of the incident. Depending on individual circumstances, families may receive varying amounts from the settlement once finalized.
Overall, the community affected by the Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio is still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. While the settlement offers some compensation for damages incurred, residents remain skeptical about the adequacy of the amount they will receive. Legal proceedings and community meetings are ongoing to address concerns and provide clarity regarding the terms of the settlement. As residents navigate the process of receiving their share of the settlement, questions about future health costs and government liability persist among those impacted by the derailment.
