Who Is Entitled
to Compensation?

While there have thankfully been no reported deaths from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, this does not mean that there are no victims. People were forced to leave their homes, unable to return, many were unable to work, and needed to find shelter due to this accident. Then there have been people exposed to the dangerous chemicals who will have to live with the long-lasting effects for years on end.

For those looking to file a lawsuit, you can seek damages for many things, including:

  • Past, present, and future medical costs for those exposed to the chemicals or who may be if they return home.
  • Lost wages from an inability to work and the closure of businesses in East Palestine, Ohio, and its surrounding areas.
  • Mental anguish from being forced to leave and needing to find shelter.
  • Monetary loss from evacuation, loss of business, employment, and/or finding new shelter.
  • Medical costs of any personal injuries sustained in the accident, evacuation, or exposure.
  • Loss and contamination of property
  • Pain and suffering

Disaster Derailment: What Happened?

February 3rd

At approximately 9:00 PM, Norfolk Southern Railway Co. operated a train that experienced a catastrophic derailment upon passing through East Palestine, Ohio. Around 100 train cars were derailed, 10 to 20 of which contained flammable and hazardous chemicals, also known as carcinogens.

February 5th

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered thousands of residents and business owners within one mile of the danger zone to evacuate. It was discovered that there was a danger of a major explosion from the change in temperature of one of the train cars that contained carcinogens.

February 6th-7th

Environmental officials attempted to work on a controlled release of the toxic chemicals which would affect local waterways, killing nearly 3,500 fish. By the end of the controlled release, East Palestine residents and business owners were still unable to return home.

February 8th

Multiple air and water quality tests came back safe, which led to the evacuation order being lifted. Despite the quality tests, residents were still advised to use bottled water, which has led many to fear being poisoned by the water in their pipes.

February 14

Norfolk Southern Railway President and CEO, Alan Shaw announced a mere $1-million charitable fund to support the thousands of people affected in and around East Palestine.

Disaster Toxins:
What Chemicals Were Spilled?

Three major carcinogens were released into the nearby area by Norfolk Southern’s train cars: butyl acrylate, benzene, and vinyl chloride. Do you know the dangers and risks that come with exposure to these toxic chemicals?

Butyl
Acrylate

This chemical is a raw material used to make fiber processing agents, adhesives, coatings, plastics, acrylic rubber, and emulsions. Acute exposure to butyl acrylate can lead to redness, tearing, and irritation of the eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, and redness and cracking of the skin.

These symptoms are just from a small amount of exposure, while extreme exposure, like extensive inhaling or drinking of contaminated water, can lead to headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Benzene

This crude oil is used in gasoline and other industrial products. It’s colorless with a sweet odor, which makes it hard to detect and avoid. This makes the chemical all the more dangerous when extended exposure can lead to benzene poisoning. Benzene poisoning can be lethal as the chemical interferes with the operating abilities of the cells in the body. It particularly hinders the ability of bone marrow cells to produce red blood cells. Benzene poisoning can even cause white blood cells in your immune system to fail, leaving you open to other diseases.

Vinyl
Chloride

This is another common material for producing plastic products like pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials. Immediate exposure to this chemical can lead to immediate symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, loss of balance, walking issues, fatigue, tingling in the extremities, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation.

Exposure can also drastically increase someone’s chances of liver cancer, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia. In some severe cases, exposure can even lead to death.

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