## Norfolk Southern to Pay $600 Million in Ohio Train Derailment Lawsuit
Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The agreement, if approved by a court, will resolve all class-action claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment site and personal injury claims within 10 miles of the site.
The February 2023 derailment involved 38 railcars, including 11 carrying hazardous chemicals that caught fire. Up to 2,000 residents were evacuated due to concerns about the release of hazardous substances like vinyl chloride, phosgene, and hydrogen chloride. While the EPA did not declare a public health emergency, residents remain concerned about potential long-term health impacts.
This settlement comes shortly after the one-year anniversary of the disaster and will provide significant compensation to affected residents, property owners, employees, and businesses. In addition to the $600 million settlement, Norfolk Southern has also paid $104 million in community assistance to East Palestine and surrounding areas. This includes funding for a regional safety training center, park improvements, resident support, and first responder assistance.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to release its final findings on the derailment this summer. The agency has indicated that an overheating wheel bearing on one of the railcars was the likely cause of the crash.