A newly filed lawsuit is alleging for the first time deaths linked to the catastrophic train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, which rocked the community two years ago. The legal claims come as the town is reminded of the disaster on the second anniversary of the incident, with fresh lawsuits adding to the legal troubles of Norfolk Southern railroad amid rising safety concerns.
On the anniversary of the incident, Vice President JD Vance visited the distressed community alongside Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. At this gathering, Vance expressed his commitment to the town’s recovery: "We are in it for the long haul in East Palestine. What does this mean? Well, one thing it means is the environmental cleanup has to get done." He criticized previous administrations for their handling of the disaster response.
The recent lawsuit targets Norfolk Southern and, for the first time, includes seven wrongful death claims against the railway operator. One notable claim involves the tragic death of a one-week-old baby, underscoring the severity and personal toll of the derailment and subsequent cleanup failures.
Attorney Kristina Baehr, representing around 750 affected residents, highlighted the growing frustration among her clients, stating, "Our clients want truth. They want transparency. They want to know what they were exposed to, which has been hidden from them. They want to know what happened and why it happened. And they want accountability." These sentiments reflect deep unrest among the local population, who have experienced unexplained health issues since the derailment.
The East Palestine derailment occurred on February 3, 2023, when dozens of freight cars, including several carrying hazardous materials, derailed after sustaining damage from an overheating wheel bearing. Because of mismanagement during the cleanup process, Norfolk Southern faced significant backlash, especially as officials previously opted to vent and burn vinyl chloride from damaged tankers — actions now deemed unnecessary according to the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation findings.
Responding to the community's grievances, Vance maintained his stance on necessary safety improvements: "We continue to need to do much more on rail safety in this country," expressing his intent to pursue additional legislative measures though he noted it would depend on Ohio's two new senators to follow through with these proposals.
Outside the briefing, protesters holding signs demanding justice for East Palestine voiced their anger at what they perceive as cover-ups and negligence. Local resident Misti Allison called for greater attention to health impacts, commenting, "Families deserve to understand the long-term health implications." This statement was supported by other community members expressing concern over the lack of communication on potential health risks from the federal and state agencies involved.
Meanwhile, the railroad has reached settlements totaling $600 million for residents within 20 miles of the site. These agreements, which do not include admissions of wrongdoing, have only partially relieved the distress within the community, as many residents await this compensation due to appeals for higher settlements based on unknown contamination impacts.
Further legal action has been initiated by various businesses, including dog kennels and wineries, contending the derailment has severely affected their operations. Notably, one dog breeder reported the loss of at least 116 puppies due to the toxic environment, highlighting the broader economic damage inflicted by the disaster.
Norfolk Southern’s spokesperson Heather Garcia claimed the railroad has made progress to assist the community, asserting, "We’ve made significant progress, and we aren’t done," referring to the company's continued involvement and investment for recovery efforts.
Nevertheless, residents continue to raise alarms about the long-term environmental and health safety measures. Calls for more stringent safety regulations echo louder, particularly as investigations suggest minimal changes have been enacted since the disaster, leaving many concerned about repeat incidents.
This complex and devastating situation reflects the struggles of East Palestine as it seeks answers and accountability from powerful corporations and government entities. The next steps for the community’s healing remain uncertain as legal battles continue and health concerns persist. The future of rail safety hangs in the balance, waiting for substantial policy changes to prevent another catastrophe and provide relief for those affected.