East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment & Chemical Spill Lawsuit

On February 3, a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of 744 current and former Ohio residents against Norfolk Southern, alleging that the chemical exposure from the East Palestine train derailment led to seven deaths. The action marks the first wrongful death claims linked to the event. In the suit, Norfolk Southern is accused of negligence, nuisance, and civil conspiracy, and the EPA’s role in the the cleanup process is questioned. The filing coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the site on the second anniversary of the disaster.

According to a 21 WFMJ article published January 7, 2025, a number of victims affected by the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and chemical spill have still not received their share of the $600 million settlement. Local residents Terri Flowers and Marci Henry, both named in the article, are two such people who continue to wait at the time of the article’s publication. While there have been reports of letters sent out the first week of January letting the recipients know what amount to anticipate, they have not received such a notice. According to a Norfolk Southern spokesperson, the attorneys who represented the claimants are responsible for the distribution of the funds.

The class action settlement, which was finalized by a federal judge in September 2024, is expected to be shared between 50,000 claimants within a 20-mile radius of the February 3, 2023 derailment.

According to a news article published by WKBN27 on December 9, 2024, many businesses, households, and firefighters in and around the village of East Palestine, Ohio, continue to wait for a settlement check three months after a federal judge resolved a class action lawsuit with a $600 million settlement.

At this time, many who filed personal injury claims following the train derailment and chemical spill have not received follow-up information.

The derailment and longer-than-anticipated wait has resulted in a number of business closures. Marathon Gas Station, operated by Anna Doss in the town center for 24 years, is one such business. Doss said the business lost half of its revenue with the closure of Taggart Street, just a short distance from the site of the derailment.

At this time, there has been no recent developments in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment lawsuit.

Those who filed a valid Claim for a Personal Injury Payment are expected to receive a Personal Injury Payment Determination letter, which will provide a calculated amount based on the formula established in the Plan of Distribution, as approved by the court. An appeal may be submitted by any Settlement Class Member who disputes the amount.

It should be noted that Personal Injury Payments varies from Direct Payment Claims, which remain pending and are expected to be resolved at a future date. While the deadline for all Direct Payment, Personal Injury and Business Loss claims was August 22, 2024 11:59pm ET, a household who may have overlooked the Personal Injury Payment (even if they had filed a Direct Claim) can still participate and potentially receive a payment, given that they were physically present within 10 miles of the derailment.

October 10, 2024

The Department of Justice (DOJ) submitted a motion requesting the court’s approval to sign and finalize the proposed settlement. This motion included the DOJ’s responses to all public comments received regarding the settlement, along with detailed supporting declarations.

September 25th, 2024

A federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement between Norfolk Southern and residents affected by the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The settlement covers approximately 55,000 claims from people within 20 miles of the accident site. Residents within 2 miles of the derailment can receive up to $70,000 per household for property damage and $25,000 per person for health issues, with payments decreasing for those living farther away. Despite some objections regarding long-term health concerns and the rushed nature of the settlement, the judge’s approval paves the way for payments to begin.

August 1, 2024

Attorneys representing East Palestine and nearby communities in the settlement against Norfolk Southern have announced that residents could receive more compensation than initially expected. Norfolk Southern agreed to pay $600 million for damages from the 2023 train derailment, marking the largest settlement in U.S. history for such an incident. This settlement covers those who lived or worked within a 20-mile radius of the accident.

During a virtual town hall on Thursday, August 1, the legal teams highlighted approaching deadlines for residents wishing to participate and noted that some compensation estimates have doubled. Residents eligible for the personal injury component, within 10 miles of the derailment, are now expected to receive about $25,000, up from the initial estimate of $10,000. Adam Gomez of Grant & Eisenhofer emphasized the conservative initial estimates and indicated that final payouts depend on claims filed by the August 22 deadline and judicial approval in September. Settlement checks are expected to be distributed by the end of the year, with potential for additional payments based on the number of claims and extraordinary circumstances.

Update 1: NTSB Final Report**

July 19, 2024

The NTSB has released its final report on the February 2023 train derailment and hazardous materials release in East Palestine, OH. The investigation confirmed that an overheated wheel bearing caused an axle to fail, derailing dozens of freight cars. Trackside temperature sensors failed to alert the train crew to the danger in time to prevent the accident. The report also identifies several issues that hampered the emergency response at the scene.

July 24, 2024

Effective July 24, 2024, a new rule requires railroads transporting hazardous materials to maintain electronic records detailing these shipments and share the information with emergency responders and law enforcement. According to PHMSA, these electronic records will improve emergency response and investigative efforts following rail incidents. This rule addresses one of the NTSB’s safety recommendations and fulfills a mandate from the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).

June 25, 2024:

NTSB investigators have determined that a defective wheel bearing on a rail car was the root cause of the derailment and hazardous material release in East Palestine, Ohio, last year. The derailment occurred due to the failure and overheating of a bearing on a hopper car, leading to the fiery incident on February 3, 2023.

During an NTSB board meeting held at East Palestine High School, investigators highlighted that the decision to conduct a vent and burn of tank cars carrying vinyl chloride monomer following the derailment was unnecessary and based on incomplete information provided by Norfolk Southern officials and contractors. The improper handling of the situation contributed to the severity of the hazardous materials release.

The continued use of DOT-111 tank cars to transport flammable liquids and hazardous materials exacerbated the situation, as these cars are known for their inadequate mechanical and thermal crashworthiness. The NTSB is now calling for an accelerated phaseout of DOT-111 tank cars in hazmat service to improve safety standards in rail transportation.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized that the absence of fatalities or injuries in this incident does not diminish the importance of implementing safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. As a result of their investigation, the NTSB has issued new safety recommendations to various organizations and agencies involved in rail transportation and emergency response.

These recommendations address crucial safety issues such as the failure of wayside monitoring systems to detect hot wheel bearings in time, inadequate emergency response training for volunteer first responders, the need for accurate and timely information dissemination to local incident commanders, and the discontinuation of DOT-111 tank cars in hazmat service.

It is essential for all parties involved to take these recommendations seriously and work towards enhancing safety protocols to prevent future rail accidents and hazardous material releases.

May 23, 2024: 

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency have reached a settlement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company. The agreement includes a payment of nearly $235 million by Norfolk Southern to cover past and future clean-up costs for the contaminated air, water, and soil in the affected area.

Additionally, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay a $15 million civil penalty and allocate $25 million towards a 20-year community health program. The company will also invest approximately $15 million in implementing long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water for a period of 10 years.

Norfolk Southern has committed to spending over $1 billion to address the contamination and other damages resulting from the derailment, as well as to enhance rail safety and operations, as outlined by the EPA. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized that no community should endure the hardships faced by the residents of East Palestine and expressed confidence that the enforcement action will facilitate a comprehensive cleanup paid for by Norfolk Southern while also bolstering measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.

April 9th 2024:

Norfolk Southern, a U.S. railroad operator, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a class action lawsuit regarding a February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The derailment, which led to the spillage of toxic chemicals, prompted concerns about rail safety. The settlement, subject to court approval, would compensate residents and businesses affected by the incident, covering personal injury claims and providing funds for past, present, and future injuries resulting from chemical exposure.

The agreement will resolve claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment site and personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius. Approximately 100,000 class members, including residents within these radii, will be eligible to receive funds. Norfolk Southern has not admitted liability. Further details, including claim processing and fund distribution, are yet to be finalized.

March 13th, 2024:

A U.S. judge has ruled that Norfolk Southern must face a proposed class action lawsuit over a 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The lawsuit alleges the company’s negligence led to the derailment, which caused hazardous chemicals to spill and catch fire. Despite Norfolk Southern’s argument that federal laws regulating the railroad industry preempt the lawsuit, the judge disagreed, stating that the claims focus on actions not subject to federal regulations or actions that explicitly violated federal regulations.

The plaintiffs, representing roughly 500,000 area residents, businesses, and property owners, seek damages for property contamination, lost business income, decreased property values, and health risks from exposure to toxic chemicals. Norfolk Southern reported over $1 billion in expenses due to the crash and faces multiple lawsuits related to the incident.

March 6th, 2024:

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticized the decision to detonate and burn toxic chemicals from five derailed tank cars in Eastern Ohio, stating it wasn’t justified. Despite experts’ reassurances that no dangerous chemical reaction was occurring, key decision-makers weren’t provided with this crucial information.

February 2nd, 2024:

The aftermath of the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio last year is revisited with the release of new footage by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The videos depict the intense fire and explosions that occurred, offering the closest view yet of the incident. One clip captures the moment of explosion, followed by a towering plume of thick, black smoke.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost provides an update on the lawsuit concerning the toxic spill, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation to ensure the long-term health and safety of Ohioans, particularly those in East Palestine.

Yost mentions ongoing inquiries into the parties responsible for loading the train cars and equipment inspections, with expectations of receiving critical information from the NTSB investigation, possibly by June.

January 2nd, 2024:

Ohio’s Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost, are actively involved in ongoing cleanup efforts in recent months. Despite progress, both stress the need for additional work on the ground and in Columbus.

Yost’s office leads a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern, alleging 58 violations. While crediting the company for cleanup efforts, Yost emphasizes the importance of accountability.

Husted focuses on monitoring Ohio EPA-led cleanup and long-term environmental concerns. Both officials express concern for the community’s well-being and advocate for ongoing testing to address potential health issues.

November 14th, 2023:

Business owner Edwin Wang has filed a $500 million federal lawsuit against Norfolk Southern after a train derailment in Ohio. Wang claims that most of his companies in eastern Ohio remain closed since the February incident, affecting nearly 50 employees and hindering expansion plans.

While part of his business reopened, contamination concerns and costly equipment replacements keep other ventures shut. Norfolk Southern, facing government lawsuits and a class action case, has apologized for the derailment and committed $102 million to the community’s cleanup.

Wang’s lawsuit blames the incident on the railroad’s workforce cuts and reliance on longer trains, alleging an “unmitigated disaster.”

November 1st, 2023:

Norfolk Southern has completed the excavation of contaminated soil at the site of a train derailment near East Palestine, just before the eight-month anniversary of the incident.

Over 175,000 tons of contaminated dirt were removed from the area spanning approximately 1,900 linear feet of track. The cleanup involved extensive sampling and monitoring overseen by the U.S. EPA, and once soil samples were deemed clean,

Norfolk Southern received authorization to backfill the area. However, remediation efforts are ongoing, including addressing an oily film in nearby waterways. The total cost of the cleanup and remediation efforts has reached nearly $1 billion.

October 24th, 2023:

A committee, assembled by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, is investigating the health impacts of the East Palestine train derailment.

Comprising health experts, first responders, and community leaders, the committee aims to address lingering health concerns, potential long-term effects, and unresolved questions. A virtual workshop on November 6 and 7 will focus on health concerns and guide future research.

September 20th, 2023:

President Biden has issued an executive order to appoint a disaster recovery coordinator for the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.

The White House announced that the appointment of the federal coordinator will be finalized within the next week. Their primary responsibility will be to conduct a thorough evaluation of any unmet needs that Norfolk Southern has not yet addressed, which may qualify for federal assistance.

September 1st, 2023:

Residents of East Palestine have received certified letters from Norfolk Southern, requesting information about illnesses and injuries related to the train derailment. The letters also seek details about any medical treatment received and personal information.

Norfolk Southern claims that federal law mandates these letters to report possible injuries to the Federal Railroad Administration, and they were sent only to individuals who had previously submitted medical bills at the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center. Despite this, concerns about confidentiality and skepticism persist among recipients, with some feeling that the information could be used against them in future legal proceedings.

August 1st, 2023: 

Norfolk Southern’s costs related to the Ohio train derailment in February have escalated to $803 million, more than double the initial amount.

The company incurred an additional $416 million charge in the second quarter, primarily due to the cleanup of hazardous chemicals released during the fiery incident.

The costs also encompass legal fees and financial assistance to the affected community.

The $803 million estimate does not cover long-term health effects, home value drops, or drinking water issues, which are still under negotiation.

Norfolk Southern expects to recover some costs from insurance and lawsuits against other involved companies

The incident resulted in a significant drop in the railroad’s profit, down to $356 million in the second quarter.

June 16th, 2023:

In anticipation of the upcoming two-day investigative hearing on the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed the lineup of organizations that will be providing witnesses.

Scheduled for June 22nd and 23rd, the hearing is a crucial component of the ongoing investigation into the derailment on February 3rd and its repercussions.

Representatives from the following entities will be present at the hearing:

• Association of American Railroads
• Beaver County Emergency Services
• Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
• Carroll Applied Science, LLC
• East Liverpool Fire Department
• East Palestine Fire Department
• East Palestine Police Department
• ESi
• Federal Railroad Administration
• Midland Manufacturing
• Norfolk Southern
• OxyVinyls
• Ohio National Guard
• Ohio Department of Public Safety
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
• Specialized Professional Services, Inc.
• Specialized Response Solutions
• Transportation Communications Union/IAM
• Trinity Rail
• University Transportation Center for Railway Safety, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

While the NTSB hearing will be livestreamed for the public, a community meeting open to all will take place at East Palestine High School on Wednesday, June 21st.

The meeting will include residents of East Palestine and individuals from neighboring communities as well as Pennsylvania residents living near the site of the derailment.

May 6th, 2023:

It was reported that The Sulphur Run, a stream affected by a recent incident, has shown positive water quality results through surface water sampling.

Consequently, most of the stream treatment equipment has been removed, and the cleaning of sediment has significantly improved water quality while reducing contaminants.

Fish have returned to areas that previously lacked aquatic life.

Ongoing efforts continue to evaluate and address sediment issues.

In Leslie Run, plans are in motion to clean sediment after a detailed survey by aquatic scientists to ensure minimal harm to the ecosystem.

Hazardous waste removal in East Palestine has seen the transportation of approximately 14.8 million gallons of liquid wastewater and the removal of 37,300 tons of excavated soil.

Remediation efforts are ongoing to address the remaining hazardous waste.

April 7th, 2023:

Four attorneys were appointed to lead the legal battle over the East Palestine derailment.

A judge in Ohio consolidated 31 lawsuits across the four attorneys.

One lawyer in Pittsburgh said this consolidation will benefit both the public and the clients.

During this same time period, another local school district filed a lawsuit alleging being impacted by the derailment.

The school district was roughly 15 miles away from the incident, calling the railroad negligent.

The school district claimed the derailment exposed residents and buildings to a dangerous mix of toxic chemicals.

These school district suits will most likely not be a part of the consolidated lawsuits.

March 1st, 2023:

Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited East Palestine to see the ongoing hazardous waste removal process.

They visited the derailment site and the confluence of Leslie Run and Sulphur Run to get an update on the surface water testing and cleanup.

The Ohio EPA reported that approximately 1.8 million gallons of liquid wastewater and 700 tons of solid waste have been hauled out of East Palestine to be disposed of through deep well injection, incineration, or landfill.

Governor DeWine announced the need for increased train derailment response training for first responders, which the CEOs of both Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads were in favor of working with the State of Ohio.

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission has up to $800,000 in grant funding available to help Ohio’s smaller fire departments pay for critically important training.

Senators of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Missouri introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2023, which would:

• Require rail carriers to give advance notice to state emergency response officials before running trains carrying hazardous materials;
• Mandate trains run with at least two-person crews;
• Require better monitoring of railcar wheel bearings; and
• Increase penalties for wrongdoing in the industry.

Other updates include track removal plan, municipal water testing, sediment washing, and private well sampling.

March 2nd, 2023:

Union leaders have reported that rail workers clearing a crash site in East Palestine, Ohio are falling ill after a Norfolk Southern train derailed and leaked toxic chemicals last month.

Twelve union leaders met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration administrator Amit Bose to discuss the incident, which threatened to explode and destroy a small Ohio town.

The hazardous materials were drained from the train cars in a controlled burn, creating a massive cloud of toxic gas.

March 4th, 2023:

Contaminated soil from the site of the Ohio train wreck is being sent to an incinerator with a history of clean air violations.

Critics are concerned that the chemicals being removed from the ground will be redistributed across the region.

This plan has been criticized by public health advocates, local residents, and a former EPA official.

Some of the contaminants that residents and chemical experts fear are in the waste, like dioxins and PFAS, haven’t been tested for by the EPA, and they are difficult or impossible to incinerate.

March 8th, 2023:

The Ohio EPA has launched a public dashboard to report surface water testing results from samples collected in area creeks and rivers affected by the train derailment.

The dashboard shows 20 surface water sampling locations and test results for vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, benzene, and 2-butoxyethanol.

Residents are advised to avoid contact with the contaminated water in the derailment area.

Symptoms of headache, anxiety, coughing, fatigue/tiredness, irritation, pain, and burning of the skin continue to be the most common reported by residents in the East Palestine area who have completed an After Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey.

Governor DeWine announced that Norfolk Southern has agreed to create a new first responder training center and expand its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program to improve and expand firefighter training.

On March 10th, 2023:

There is a large amount of contaminated soil that needs to be removed from East Palestine, and while approximately 2,980 tons have been removed, around 24,400 tons still remain.

Governor DeWine and the Ohio EPA are concerned about the threats of future contamination and injury to public health until the soil is removed.

The U.S. EPA is requiring pre-approval for all disposal and transport of contaminated soil and liquids, which is an additional step beyond all other safety management regulations required under RCRA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Governor DeWine is calling on the U.S. EPA and Norfolk Southern to identify and authorize more sites to take this waste immediately.

February 5th, 2023:

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a call for all remaining residents in the area to evacuate due to a rail car being at risk of exploding.

The controlled release and burn of vinyl chloride resulted in a dark plume rising over East Palestine, Ohio.

February 6th, 2023:

DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro ordered the immediate evacuation of any remaining residents.

Norfolk Southern executed a controlled release and burn of vinyl chloride in five cars around 3:30 p.m. to prevent an explosion.

February 8th, 2023:

DeWine and Shapiro announced that East Palestine residents could safely return home.

However, there have been reports of people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill, and a strong odor lingering in the town.

February 9th, 2023:

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been monitoring the air in East Palestine since the recent train derailment and chemical spill.

Air quality samples in the area have consistently shown readings below safety screening levels for contaminants.

The EPA has also investigated a complaint of odors but found no contaminants above detection limits.

Additionally, the EPA and Ohio EPA found spilled materials in Sulphur Run and provided assistance to health departments in developing residential screening procedures.

February 10th, 2023:

Norfolk Southern offered an “inconvenience fee” to those who were forced to leave during mandatory evacuation.

Some attorneys expressed wariness of how this fee will impact future claims.

February 13th, 2023:

It was reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been conducting voluntary home screenings to monitor environmental conditions in East Palestine and nearby towns.

They found no traces of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, which is released by burning vinyl chloride, in 291 of the homes screened, with 181 homes yet to be screened.

The EPA has assured residents that the area’s drinking water is safe based on their monitoring results.

February 15th, 2023:

A lawsuit was filed against Norfolk Southern on behalf of two women.

Both women claim that they’ve been exposed to “high level of toxic chemicals.

The lawsuit states that Norfolk Southern, local and state authorities, made the situation worse by igniting “a 1 million pound plus chemical burn it that burned for days”, sending large plumes of black smoke over East Palestine and other nearby areas.

February 16th, 2023:

A new federal lawsuit states that Norfolk Southern led to 1,109,400 pounds of vinyl chloride into the environment, which could lead to cancer.

The claim is that the train derailment led to Norfolk Southern releasing more vinyl chloride in a week than all industrial emitters in 2021.

February 19th, 2023:

Norfolk Southern announced that its CEO, Alan Shaw, has issued a statement promising to compensate residents for the harm caused and assist with the clean-up of the toxic contamination.

The company has set up a $1 million community support fund to aid affected residents and referred to it as an initial payment to assist the community in its recovery efforts.

February 22nd, 2023:

The Ohio EPA will continue to independently test East Palestine’s municipal water once a week, although last week’s test results confirmed that the water was free from contaminants associated with the derailment.

The Columbiana County Health Department has sampled 74 private wells in the area, with final testing results pending, and residents who use private wells are advised to drink bottled water until results are returned.

Indoor and outdoor air monitoring in the area has not detected any contaminants associated with the derailment.

Aeration is still underway on Sulphur Run to treat contamination, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is no longer detecting contaminates related to the derailment in the Ohio River.

About 4,588 cubic yards of contaminated soil have been removed from the derailment site so far.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has created a team to handle workers’ compensation claims related to the derailment.

February 25th, 2023:

The U.S. EPA has temporarily stopped the removal of hazardous waste from the site of the derailment due to concerns over where the contaminated materials would be disposed of.

Norfolk Southern has contracted licensed hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities in Texas and Michigan to handle the waste from the derailment.

Of the 20 truckloads of hazardous solid waste removed from the site, 15 truckloads have been disposed of in Michigan and five truckloads have been returned to East Palestine.

The licensed hazardous waste treatment and disposal facility in Texas will dispose of liquid waste that has been transported out of East Palestine.

The Ohio EPA is installing four monitoring wells to sample groundwater near East Palestine’s municipal water supply as a precaution, with results expected within seven days.