Norfolk Southern has agreed to a $600 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to a train derailment in Ohio in February 2023, Associated Press reports.
The settlement, subject to court approval, aims to resolve claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment and offers compensation for personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius. Individuals and businesses affected by the incident can use the settlement funds to address various impacts, including healthcare needs and property restoration. While the settlement doesn’t imply liability, Norfolk Southern has already spent over $1.1 billion on response efforts the settlement is viewed as a significant step towards providing relief to affected residents and entities.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the derailment’s causes is ongoing, with findings expected in June, while the Environmental Protection Agency anticipates completing the cleanup in East Palestine later this year.
