Norfolk Southern is being sued by Ohio over the East Palestine derailment

The state's attorney general announced Tuesday that Ohio filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern after a train carrying toxic materials derailed in East Palestine last month, the state's attorney general said.

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During a press briefing, state attorney general Dave Yost said the lawsuit alleges violations of state and federal law pertaining to hazardous waste, water pollution, air pollution, and operational negligence. As part of the lawsuit, he said, Norfolk Southern is being sued for damages, civil penalties, and a "declaration of responsibility."

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During a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment and subsequent fire near Ohio's border with Pennsylvania, 11 tank cars carrying hazardous materials were ignited, causing health and environmental concerns.

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Workers at the derailment site have reported feeling ill during clean-up. He noted Tuesday that he had felt discomfort himself while on location while visiting the site, and heard from people whose throats were sore and other irritations.

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"There are quite a few things which we do not know yet" in terms of whether the chemical spill will have a long-term impact on farmers and their livestock in the long run, according to Yost.

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“One of the major points of this lawsuit is to make sure that these long-term effects are not forgotten, but that they are addressed,” according to Yost.

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Alan Shaw, Norfolk Southern's CEO, said last week that the company plans to completely clean the site and offer financial assistance to residents affected by the accident.

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“This was an epic disaster, and the cleanup will cost a lot of money,” Yost said. "Returning East Palestine to its pre-Feb. 3 position will require some significant investments."

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