A federal judge has approved a $600 million settlement Norfolk Southern Corp. reached in response to the toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. The incident caused significant distress to the local community.
The settlement, described as “fair, reasonable, and adequate” by Judge Benita Y. Pearson of the Northern District of Ohio, was granted following a hearing in Youngstown where some residents expressed objections. The approval also included $162 million earmarked for attorney fees, as outlined in a recent report.
The settlement details were initially announced in April 2024, months after the February 2023 derailment that prompted numerous lawsuits. Norfolk Southern, alongside attorneys representing the affected class, announced the financial agreement to address the claims against the company. Additional information about the case can be found in the Bloomberg Law article.