by Jack Brie and Breanne Deppisch at Washington Examiner
Norfolk Southern announced on Tuesday that it reached a $600 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over the toxic train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, last year.
The company announced the settlement had been agreed to in principle and still required approval from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The lawsuit in district court was stayed pending approval of the settlement, according to a court order on Tuesday.
The February 2023 derailment involved a train that was carrying 20 cars with at least five toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, which has been linked to liver damage and a rare form of liver cancer. Eleven of those cars derailed. Norfolk Southern said the agreement would resolve class action claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment and personal injury claims of those within a 10-mile radius of the derailment for those who participate in the settlement.
“The agreement is designed to provide finality and flexibility for settlement class members. Individuals and businesses will be able to use compensation from the settlement in any manner they see fit to address potential adverse impacts from the derailment. This could include healthcare needs and medical monitoring, property restoration and diminution, and compensation for any net business loss,” the company said in a press release.
“In addition, individuals within 10 miles of the derailment may, at their discretion, choose to receive additional compensation for any past, current, or future personal injury from the derailment,” the release continued.
The company also said the settlement…
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