and Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Norfolk Southern Corporation (collectively, “Company,” and together with Releasor, the “Parties”).
Capitalized terms herein have the definition provided in the Class Action Settlement Agreement, dated April 26, 2024, except as otherwise defined in this Personal Injury Release.
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Releasor is a Settlement Class Member in In re: East Palestine Train Derailment, No. 4:23-CV-00242, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Class Representatives in that Action, individually and on behalf of the Settlement Class, have agreed to settle that Action by entering into a Settlement Agreement, dated April 26, 2024;
WHEREAS, in addition to any compensation awarded to Releasor through his/her/their membership in the Settlement Class by submission of a Claim, Releasor has chosen to enter into this Personal Injury Release in order to receive the benefit of this Personal Injury Release, namely a Personal Injury Payment;
WHEREAS, Releasor affirms that he/she/they was physically located within 10 miles of the Derailment Site at any time between the date of the Incident (defined below) and the Settlement Date; and
WHEREAS, the Parties hereto desire to enter into this Personal Injury Release relating to the release of Personal Injury Claims (as defined in Paragraph 5 below) that Releasor may have against the Released Parties (as defined in Paragraph 11 below) arising out of, due to, resulting from, or relating in any way to, directly or indirectly, the Incident, which is defined to mean the February 3, 2023 derailment of Norfolk Southern train 32N in East Palestine, Ohio, including without limitation the February 6, 2023 controlled release (also referred to as the vent and burn) of hazardous materials contained in certain derailed railcars and the chemical release, fire, emergency response, clean-up, remediation, shelter-in-place and evacuation in and around East Palestine, Ohio following the February 3, 2023 train derailment and February 6, 2023 controlled release.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Personal Injury Payment to be provided to Releasor, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby mutually acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Releasor shall receive a Personal Injury Payment from the Personal Injury Settlement Fund, with the amount of the Personal Injury Payment to be determined by the Settlement Administrator and Class Counsel, and pursuant to the distribution plan described in Section XIII.C.3 of the Settlement Agreement.
2. In entering into this Release, Releasor understands that the following table represents the potential, average payment amounts based on proximity to the Derailment Site, for individuals seeking a Personal Injury Payment. Releasor understands that his/her/their payment could be more or less depending on the determination of the Settlement Administrator and Class Counsel.
Potential, Average Personal Injury Payments
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0-2 Miles
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Approximately $10,000
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2-5 Miles
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Approximately $5,000
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5-10 Miles
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Approximately $1,000
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3. This Personal Injury Release shall become effective upon issuance of the Court’s order finally approving the Settlement—or, if Releasor is a minor, upon the completion by Class Counsel of all necessary steps to secure valid and legally enforceable releases for minors.
4. This Personal Injury Release shall remain effective:
A. regardless of whether the Settlement Agreement is ever modified or reversed on any appeal by any court; and
B. regardless of any appeals or court decisions relating in any way to the liability of the Released Parties in any current or future litigation.
Capitalized terms in this Personal Injury Release defined by reference to the Settlement Agreement shall continue to have their defined meaning in all events, regardless of whether the foregoing circumstances described in Paragraph 4.A or 4.B occur.
5. Releasor, for himself/herself and his/her heirs, parents, beneficiaries, administrators, executors, successors, assigns, agents, principals, representatives, subrogees, and subrogors, hereby unconditionally, absolutely, and irrevocably fully and forever releases, acquits, covenants not to sue, and discharges the Released Parties from any and all past, present, or future Personal Injury Claims, defined to mean claims, rights, legal or administrative complaints, demands, suits, liability (including all direct and/or indirect liability), damages, losses, costs, debts, actions, and causes of action (in law or equity), or expenses of any kind whatsoever, known or unknown, that have been or could have been brought in connection with:
(a) Past, present, or future personal injury or bodily injury, and any progression and/or exacerbation of personal injury or bodily injury, of whatsoever kind or nature, where such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation in whole or in part arose from, was due to, resulted from, or was related to, directly or indirectly, the Incident, or wrongful death and/or survival actions as a result of such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation; and/or
(b) Loss of past, present, or future salary, wages, or other earnings, impairment of earning capacity, loss of service, ability or capacity, emotional or psychological distress, disease, illness, mental or physical pain or suffering, emotional or mental harm, anguish or loss of enjoyment of life, funeral, burial and estate administration expense, and any and all other injury, loss, damage, harm of whatsoever kind or nature growing out of, arising out of, or arising as a consequence of, whether in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any personal injury or bodily injury, including disease, mental or physical pain or suffering, emotional or mental harm, or anguish or loss of enjoyment of life, to another person, and any progression and/or exacerbation of personal injury or bodily injury to another person, of whatsoever kind or nature, where such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation in whole or in part arose from, was due to, resulted from, or was related to, directly or indirectly, the Incident, or wrongful death and/or survival actions as a result of such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation; and/or
(c) Loss of support, services, consortium, companionship, society, or affection, or damage to familial relations arising out of any personal injury or bodily injury, including disease, mental or physical pain or suffering, emotional or mental harm, or anguish or loss of enjoyment of life, to another person, and any progression and/or exacerbation of personal injury or bodily injury to another person, of whatsoever kind or nature, where such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation in whole or in part arose from, was due to, resulted from, or was related to, directly or indirectly, the Incident, or wrongful death and/or survival actions as a result of such injury, progression, and/or exacerbation; and/or
(d) Increased risk, possibility, or fear of suffering in the future from any disease, injury, illness, emotional or mental harm, condition, or death, in whole or in part arising out of, due to, resulting from, or relating in any way to, directly or indirectly, the Incident.
6. Releasor acknowledges and agrees that unknown consequences or progression of presently known injuries, diseases or illnesses may arise, develop, or be discovered in the future, including disabling conditions not now known to Releasor, and that future medical treatment, including surgery, may be necessary. Releasor understands that he/she/they may have suffered, or may in the future develop, injuries, diseases, illnesses, damages, and/or other harms that are presently unknown to Releasor as a result or consequence of the Incident as set forth above.
7. Releasor acknowledges and agrees that the consideration received under this Personal Injury Release constitutes full and complete consideration for the release and discharge of Personal Injury Claims as defined in Paragraph 5, including any and all past, present, or future claims, rights, legal or administrative complaints, demands, suits, liability (including all direct and/or indirect liability), damages, losses, costs, debts, actions, and causes of action (in law or equity), or expenses of any kind whatsoever, known or unknown, arising from or otherwise concerning such unknown or future complications or progression, including the effects and consequences thereof and regardless of whether Releasor enters into this Personal Injury Release based upon a misunderstanding of any fact or a misunderstanding of any applicable law.
8. Releasor understands and agrees that the signing of this Personal Injury Release prevents Releasor or any person or entity acting by or through Releasor from making and/or asserting any further claim, right, demand, suit, cost, debt, action and/or cause of action of any nature whatsoever against Released Parties, or any of them, concerning the Incident as set forth above. Releasor further understands and agrees that making and/or asserting any further claim, right, demand, suit, cost, debt, action and/or cause of action of any nature whatsoever against Released Parties, or any of them, concerning the Incident as set forth above shall constitute a material breach of the Release and shall entitle the Company to recover the amount of the Personal Injury Payment as well as any attorneys’ fees and expenses resulting therefrom.
9. Releasor understands and agrees that the signing of this Personal Injury Release shall be deemed an express waiver and relinquishment to the fullest extent permitted by law, of the provisions, rights, and benefits of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code (or any other analogous state or federal law), which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.
Releasor further understands and agrees that the signing of this Personal Injury Release shall be deemed an express waiver and relinquishment to the fullest extent permitted by law, of any and all provisions, rights and benefits conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or principle of common law, or the law of any jurisdiction outside of the United States, which is similar, comparable, or equivalent to § 1542 of the California Civil Code. Releasor acknowledges that they may discover facts in addition to or different from those that they now know or believe to be true with respect to the subject matter of this release, but that it is their intention to finally and forever settle and release the Personal Injury Claims (as defined in Paragraph 5 above), notwithstanding any unknown claims they may have.
10. Releasor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Released Parties, or any of them, for any and all losses, claims, causes of action, actions, liabilities, judgments, verdicts, awards or demands of any kind or nature, by any tortfeasor or alleged tortfeasor, or any other person or entity asserting any independent or derivative claim or right, whether by law, contract or otherwise, including, but not limited to, actions for contribution and/or indemnification, arising out of any of the matters released herein.
11. Released Parties means:
A. Norfolk Southern and any of its past or present parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, and corporations, and any of their past or present officers, directors, managers, employees, general partners, limited partners, principals, insurers, reinsurers, shareholders, attorneys, advisors, representatives, agents, consultants, contractors, service providers, successors, or assigns;
B. OxyVinyls LP, GATX Corporation, General American Marks Company, Trinity Industries Leasing Company (collectively defined as the “Non-Settling Railcar Defendants”);
C. any other manufacturers, owners, lessors, lessees, shippers, and consignees of the rail cars and products involved in the Incident;
D. the manufacturers, installers, and designers of the rail track or other railroad equipment associated with the Incident, including without limitation Progress Rail;
E. the Association of American Railroads;
F. Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis;
G. any persons, business entities, and agencies that assisted in or supported the emergency response, remediation, air monitoring, soil monitoring, water monitoring, and clean-up activities associated with the Incident—including for avoidance of doubt and without limitation, Arcadis U.S., Inc.; Braskem America Inc.; Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH); EnviroScience, Inc.; Explosive Service International; Specialized Professional Services Inc. (SPSI); Midland Manufacturing; Specialized Response Solutions (SRS); Hazardous Products Abatement Company (HEPACO); EnviroServe; Engineering Systems Inc. (Esi); Cranemasters; Hulcher Services, Inc.; R.J. Corman Railroad Group; and Timken Company—including the activities of private, public, and governmental agencies, entities, and authorities, whether federal, state, county, or local, their employees, officers, agents, members, and volunteers; and
H. any owners, lessors, and lessees of any other real property located at the site of the Incident.
For the avoidance of doubt, any of the “Released Parties” includes, for any of the foregoing entities, any past or present parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, and corporations, and any past or present officers, directors, managers, employees, general partners, limited partners, principals, insurers, reinsurers, shareholders, attorneys, advisors, representatives, agents, consultants, contractors, service providers, successors, or assigns.
12. Releasor retains Personal Injury Claims, if any, against persons or entities who are not Released Parties, but such reservation creates no basis for a claim of contribution, subrogation, or indemnification (collectively, an “Insurer Claim”), however denominated, by any non-Released Party against any Released Party. For avoidance of doubt, this Release shall apply to all related Insurer Claims of the Releasor’s subrogees or insurance carriers, and Releasor expressly waives any contractual or other right or claim of contribution, subrogation, or indemnification by any insurer or other party for an Insurer Claim against any Released Parties. If Releasor has made an insurance claim or has received insurance proceeds for any itemized loss or damage relating to Personal Injury Claims caused by the Incident, and Releasor submits an itemized claim for the same loss or damage as part of the Personal Injury Payment, then Releasor will indemnify Released Parties for any liability that Released Parties, or any of them, incur for an Insurer Claim, provided that (a) the Insurer Claim is brought by an entity seeking to recover payment of insurance proceeds to Releasor for the same itemized loss or damage; and (b) the amount for which Releasor indemnifies Released Parties shall be limited to only that amount of the Personal Injury Payment to Releasor made directly for said itemized loss or damage, if any.
13. Releasor agrees to satisfy any and all valid liens that have been asserted and/or which could be or may be asserted for reimbursement of any medical benefits provided to the Releasor by a third party, including without limitation Medicare or Medicaid, as a result of any injuries allegedly caused by the Incident.