$600 million train derailment settlement moves forward

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) – A settlement between Norfolk Southern and those affected by last year’s train derailment took another step Tuesday.

The U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division issued a preliminary approval of the $600 million settlement. This money would go to resolve the several pending lawsuits from the disaster.

Those who have questions can visit the claims assistance center, located at the former family assistance center on East Rebecca Street.

The plaintiffs were seeking compensation for displacement, physical injury and emotional distress from the 2023 train derailment.

The deadline to file a claim will be on August 22

A hearing on the settlement is scheduled for September 25.

It will be open the first business day after settlement notices are mailed. Those notices should be sent out later this month.

Norfolk Southern is not admitting liability or wrongdoing. According to the lawyers suing the rail company, they hope to get initial payments distributed by the end of 2024. About 100,000 residents and businesses are eligible to get money from the settlement. They have to be within a 20-mile radius of the derailment.

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