Residents Seek More Time on $600M Settlement

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are expressing apprehension as they face a deadline this week to decide on a $600 million class-action settlement with Norfolk Southern, following last year's train derailment. Many are requesting additional time and information before making their decision, particularly regarding the compensation amounts, which vary based on proximity to the derailment site. Those living within two miles could receive $70,000 for property damage, while residents at the outer edge may only see a few hundred dollars. A key issue raised by attorney David Graham is the lack of transparency regarding contamination testing conducted by expert Stephen Petty, who has significant experience in contamination cases. Residents were promised that Petty's findings would be disclosed to clarify the impact of the toxic spill, but Graham claims that the attorneys have shifted focus away from this critical data. Instead, a different expert, Dr. Arch Carson, recently suggested that cancer risks for residents are minimal, a statement that has been met with skepticism from local health experts. Graham has voiced concerns that the plaintiffs' attorneys may prioritize their potential $180 million in legal fees over the residents' best interests. While the attorneys have defended the settlement as unprecedented in size compared to past derailments, residents argue that the timeline for evaluating the deal was insufficient, especially following a recent National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the incident. The situation remains tense as the deadline approaches, leaving many residents uncertain about their next steps.