Class Action Settlement Agreement
$600 Million Settlement Underscores Norfolk Southern’s Commitment to Making it Right for East Palestine and Surrounding Communities
In April 2024, Norfolk Southern reached a $600 million settlement agreement to resolve the consolidated East Palestine class action lawsuit, resolving all claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius from the derailment. This marks another promise kept to make it right for the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities.
This settlement will fairly and adequately compensate individuals and qualifying businesses impacted by the derailment.
What does the $600 million settlement agreement include?
The agreement is designed to provide finality and flexibility for settlement class members, which includes individuals and businesses.
Households and businesses within a 20-mile radius from the derailment 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 healthcare 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.
What is the status of the settlement?
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio granted the plaintiffs’ motion for final approval of the settlement in September 2024. That ruling was appealed, and the appeal is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Under the settlement terms, the pending appeal affects the timing of payments to class members.
When can class members expect to be compensated?
The settlement administrator began issuing personal injury payments to eligible class members in the fall of 2024. Under the settlement terms, the other forms of available payments—direct payments to households and business loss payments to businesses—have not begun because the settlement is currently on appeal.
The actual allocations and payments to households, businesses, and individuals will be determined by court-appointed class counsel.
Who should I contact with questions about the settlement, including about the timing and amount of compensation?
Class members can contact the settlement administrator with any questions and information regarding the settlement by phone at 1-833-425-3400 or email at [email protected]. Additional details can be found at eastpalestinetrainsettlement.com. Class members can also contact court-appointed class counsel.
Please note that, by court order dated June 11, 2025, Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions, Inc. (Epiq) became the court-appointed settlement administrator, replacing Kroll Settlement Administration. But the contact information for the settlement administrator above (phone, email, and website) remains the same.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
- This $600 million settlement is designed to address and resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment site, and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius of the derailment site.
- It provides significant monetary relief to individuals and helps qualifying businesses continue to rebuild and grow.
- This resolution was the product of extensive negotiations with court-appointed class counsel and with the expert assistance of former federal district judge Layn Phillips, a nationally renowned neutral mediator.
- Households 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 healthcare needs and medical monitoring, property restoration and diminution, and compensation for any net business loss.
- From the beginning, Norfolk Southern has worked with key stakeholders to make it right. We remain committed to helping the community of East Palestine recover and thrive, no matter how long it takes.
- In addition to this settlement, Norfolk Southern has made contributions including:
- More than $115 million in community assistance to East Palestine and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including $25 million in planned improvements to East Palestine’s city park, $22 million in direct payments to residents, and $9 million to local first responders;
- $4.3 million to support upgrades to drinking water infrastructure;
- $2 million for community-directed projects; and
- $500,000 grant for economic development.
- Learn more about our ongoing support in the community.