Judge Approves $600 Million Settlement Resolving Ohio Train Derailment

A federal judge has approved Norfolk Southern’s $600 million settlement resolving a class-action lawsuit that stems from the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson granted final approval to the deal during a Sept. 25 hearing on last year’s derailment in the small town of roughly 4,700 people. The settlement—first announced in April—has been overwhelmingly supported by residents living within 20 miles of the derailment site. While around 55,000 claims were filed against Norfolk Southern in the wake of the Feb. 3, 2023, incident, just 370 households and 47 businesses opted out of the proposed deal. The settlement covers residents, property owners, and businesses impacted by the derailment and subsequent chemical spill, although any aid they received from Norfolk Southern in the wake of the derailment will be deducted from their final payments....