A federal judge has approved a monumental $600 million settlement to address the impact of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment.
At a Glance
- A federal judge has approved a $600 million class-action settlement for the East Palestine, Ohio derailment.
- Judge Benita Pearson confirmed the settlement after receiving overwhelming support from residents.
- Approximately 55,000 claims were filed, with a minimal number of households and businesses opting out.
- Initial compensation checks are expected before year-end, with prior aid deducted from final payments.
- Norfolk Southern has reiterated its commitment to the community and ongoing recovery efforts.
Legal Milestone for East Palestine
A federal judge has approved a significant $600 million class-action settlement from Norfolk Southern railroad for residents within a 20-mile radius of East Palestine, Ohio. This settlement comes in response to the catastrophic train derailment that rocked the community last year. The approved funds are designated to assist victims in their recovery and hold responsible parties accountable for the ensuing environmental and property damage.
Judge Benita Pearson granted final approval after a hearing where the overwhelming support of the residents for the settlement was highlighted. Approximately 55,000 claims were filed, with only 370 households and 47 businesses opting out. This high participation rate underscores the community’s urgency and need for compensation following the incident.
Ohio judge approves $600 million settlement for residents near fiery East Palestine train derailment https://t.co/862zFac8jN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 26, 2024
Compensation Details and Community Impact
Compensation payouts are set to begin swiftly, with the first checks likely mailed before the end of this year. Residents within a 2-mile radius of the derailment can receive up to $70,000 per household for property damage and up to $25,000 per person for health issues, with decreasing amounts allotted based on distance from the incident site.
This outcome signals a significant victory for the plaintiffs’ attorneys, who praised the resilience of the East Palestine community. According to their statement, “This outcome would not have been possible without the resilience and support of the East Palestine community and the broader class of impacted residents and business owners. We look forward to beginning the distribution of funds in the coming weeks to help this community rebuild and move forward.”
Community Concerns and Long-term Health Effects
Despite the approved settlement, some residents expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that the agreement was rushed and inadequate. They raised concerns about the undisclosed health risks and lack of comprehensive test results. Jami Wallace, a vocal opponent, criticized the attorneys, stating, “These attorneys were bullying people and telling them they were never going to get any money if they didn’t take this. People felt backed into a corner.”
Norfolk Southern’s spokesperson reiterated its commitment to East Palestine, saying, “Today marks an important day for East Palestine and the surrounding communities. We made a promise to make things right and this is just one piece of that commitment. We remain committed to this community for the long haul and look forward to continuing our relationship with the Village as we work to help the area recover and thrive.”
Looking Ahead
The settlement marks a crucial step in addressing the aftermath of the train derailment that caused extensive property and environmental damage. The derailment, which involved hazardous chemicals, led to a controlled burn of vinyl chloride and necessitated the evacuation of over 1,500 people. This settlement does not include Norfolk Southern’s admission of wrongdoing but represents a critical component in their efforts to make amends and support the recovery of the East Palestine community.
The railway company has already provided $108 million in assistance and invested over $1 billion in cleanup efforts. With the settlement approved, residents eagerly await the beginning of the payout process, which promises to aid their long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts.
