This settlement "furthers the work Norfolk Southern has done to make it right in East Palestine and the surrounding communities, while providing finality and flexibility for settlement class members," the railroad said in a statement accompanying its first-quarter 2024 financial results.
This agreement "does not include or constitute any admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault. Norfolk Southern continues to pursue all applicable insurance coverage with respect to this agreement," Norfolk Southern said.
In a statement separate from the one in the financial results, the railroad said 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 health care needs and medical monitoring, property restoration and diminution, and compensation for any net business loss. 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."
Since the accident, Norfolk Southern said, it also provides $104 million in community assistance to East Palestine and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including $25 million for a regional safety training center, $25 million in planned improvements to East Palestine’s city park, $21 million in direct payments to residents, and $9 million to local first responders.
The railroad additionally provided $4.3 million to support upgrades to drinking water infrastructure and $2 million for community-directed projects.
