East Palestine residents want more time and information before deciding to accept $600M settlement

Some residents in East Palestine, Ohio, are requesting more time and information before deciding whether to accept their portion of a $600 million class-action settlement with Norfolk Southern regarding a train derailment last year. The residents must decide by Thursday’s deadline, and those living within a certain radius of the accident also need to decide whether to accept compensation for personal injuries. There is a concern that accepting the money will result in a forfeiture of their right to sue in the future. Attorney David Graham filed a motion requesting the release of test results conducted by their own expert, Stephen Petty, to address residents’ concerns regarding contamination. Another expert, Dr. Arch Carson, made statements about the likelihood of developing cancer as a result of the accident, but the data he relied on was not made clear. Researchers are studying the long-term implications of the derailment, but it may take years to fully understand the impact. Concerns have been raised about the plaintiffs’ attorneys prioritizing their own legal fees over representing the residents’ interests. Some residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the opt-out deadline in relation to the National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the investigation findings.