Its been just over a year since the East Palestine train derailment.

A $600 million settlement was reached on Tuesday that would provide support to families and businesses near the derailment.

Co-lead attorneys for the plaintiff's held a virtual news conference on Wednesday to discuss the settlement, how it was reached and who it applies to. The attorneys said that the residents they spoke with were pleased with the outcome.

After months of legal research, depositions, and three days of meditation, a $600 million settlement was reached. This is in addition to anything Norfolk Southern may have already given to the community of East Palestine. According to the attorneys, the settlement money will not go towards the continued clean up efforts.

This specific settlement resolves the class action claims made by people or businesses within a twenty mile radius or anyone within ten miles that has a personal injury claim.


The attorney involved in the settlement said this is just the beginning of the long process to make sure everyone gets the money they deserve. The attorneys said they will be hosting town hall meetings in the area and meeting with residents so they can get all their questions about the settlement answered.


One of the attorneys, M. Elizabeth Graham of Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. explained how the money will be divided among the residents that the settlement applies to.  "We are working with a number of experts who do this for a living. Essentially we are coming up with a formula, an allocation formula and it gives higher weight value to folks that are living in closer proximity to the derailment and to the event and burn. We are taking into account household compositions, if you had children, how many people were in your house, if you are working in the community, there are a number of factors that are weighted", said Graham.

Another attorney, Seth Katz of Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. explained when residents could start to see their share of the settlement. "Should the court determine that we've met all the obligations that the settlement is fair and reasonable that Judge Pearson would approve the settlement and after that would the checks based on claims submitted would be sent to the member's of the community that submitted their claims. We are hoping that would be before the end of the year based on everything that we are working hard to accomplish, in the next couple of day, next several weeks and months", said Katz.

The attorneys also noted that there is still a long road ahead until the people and businesses can start to receive they payments. 

A federal judge still has to sign off on the proposed settlement.