Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost has announced that the state has filed a 58-count complaint against Norfolk Southern over last month’s toxic chemical derailment in East Palestine.
Yost has accused the rail company of violating numerous state, federal and Ohio common laws, as well as the state’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The derailment caused the release of over 1 million gallons of hazardous chemicals and endangered the health and natural resources of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Some residents and cleanup workers have reported health concerns such as headaches, anxiety and coughing.
The lawsuit seeks to ensure that Norfolk Southern fulfills its promise to clean the site safely and thoroughly, compensate affected residents and businesses, and invest in the community.
The lawsuit also seeks to prohibit Norfolk Southern from disposing of additional waste at the site of the derailment and to require future monitoring of soil and groundwater at the derailment location and surrounding areas.
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