Class actions keep coming after East Palestine train derailment

Norfolk Southern train derailment class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: More class action lawsuits have been filed against Norfolk Southern Railway in response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this month. 
• Why: Norfolk Southern has been accused of bearing responsibility for the train derailment that allegedly contaminated the air, soil, and water in the surrounding area. 
• Where: The Norfolk Southern train derailment occurred in East Palestine, Ohio. 

Class action lawsuits continue to be filed against Norfolk Southern Railway in the wake of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this month that is alleged to have contaminated the surrounding area. 

One class action lawsuit has been brought against Norfolk Southern by a Youngstown, Ohio-based law firm that wants to represent a class of residents who live within 30 miles of the derailment site, reports The Hill. 

Norfolk Southern is accused of bearing responsibility for a Feb. 3 train derailment that caused a spill of hazardous materials such as vinyl chloride and ultimately resulted in a fire that is alleged to have released toxic chemicals into the air, ground, and soil. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has said it plans to compel Norfolk Southern to cover all of the expenses necessary to clean up the spill, in addition to costs accrued by residents who were forced to temporarily evacuate in its wake, reports The Hill. 

The class action lawsuit, meanwhile, is reportedly attempting to obtain injunctive relief oversight for Norfolk Southern safety & compliance programs, a medical monitoring fund, and monetary damages for affected residents within 30 miles of the derailment. 

Norfolk Southern accused of harming individuals within 30 miles of Ohio train derailment

A separate class action lawsuit was also filed against Norfolk Southern by a Pittsburgh-based law firm attempting to obtain a reward of damages for anyone who was harmed within 30 miles of the train derailment, reports CBS Pittsburgh. 

The 30-mile radius for the proposed class action reportedly will extend into Butler, Beaver, Lawrence, and parts of Allegheny County, with damages hoping to recoup for suffering, loss of income, and loss of real estate value. 

A separate class action lawsuit was also filed against Norfolk Southern earlier this month by two Ohio residents claiming the railway was responsible for the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. 

The residents argue Norfolk Southern is guilty of negligence and that it was operating the train when the train cars derailed — including approximately 10 that contained hazardous substances —  due to what they allege was a broken or malfunctioning axel. 

State and federal authorities have said that the air and water is currently safe for residents, reports The Hill. 

Have you been impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio? Let us know in the comments! 

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