A business owner with companies near where a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in February has sued the railroad for $500 million, saying most of his eastern Ohio companies have remained closed and he hasn't been able to reach a financial settlement with the railroad.
It comes amid government lawsuits against Norfolk Southern and a class action case on behalf of residents who have complained about the derailment's impact on East Palestine, Ohio.
Before the derailment spilled chemicals on his property, Wang's companies employed close to 50 people and had plans to expand.
Wang's lawsuit blames the derailment on Norfolk Southern having cut its workforce in recent years and its decision to rely more on longer, heavier trains.
Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern is one of the nation's largest railroads and operates roughly 20,000 miles of track in the eastern United States.
Persons:
hasn't, Edwin Wang, Wang can’t, Thomas Crosson, Wang
Organizations:
Norfolk Southern, EPA, Railroad, Transportation, Norfolk
Locations:
Norfolk Southern, Ohio, East Palestine , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Palestine, Norfolk, Atlanta, United States