Residents wishing to file claim form to take part in the $600 million settlement with Norfolk Southern now have another location in the village to do so. A second claims center opened on West Main Street next to Rite-Aid Pharmacy. The other claims center is located at 191 E. Rebecca Street at the site of former site of the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center (FAC). The FAC moved to the Norfolk Southern Field Office on N. Main Street before summer. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

EAST PALESTINE — Residents wishing to make a claim to receive an award from the $600 million the class action settlement with Norfolk Southern for damages sustained from last year’s train derailment can now do so at two locations in the village.

A second claims center is now open on 79 West Main Street in the former Dailey Chiropractic building next to Rite-Aid Pharmacy. The location at 191 Rebecca Street also remains open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Class members — those who lived, worked, owned property or owned or operated a business within 20 miles of the derailment site from February 3, 2023 to April 26, 2024 — have until Aug. 22 at 11:59 p.m. to file a claim.

Residents can file a claim for direct damages (property damage). Direct damages are projected to be as much as $70,000 (for those within two miles of “ground zero”) and will be awarded on a per household basis. The award will depend on, among other things, location of your home, household size and composition, acreage, length of displacement and property damage. Expected average compensation decreases with distance — 0-2 miles from derailment ($70,000), 2-4 miles ($45,000), 4-7 miles ($30,000), 7-10 miles ( $15,000), 10-15 miles (approximately $500) and 15-20 miles ($250).

Some residents are also eligible to make a personal injury claim. Residents who live within 10 miles can opt in to the competent and receive upwards of $25,000 per person, as the settlement assumes that everyone physically present within 10 miles of the derailment is qualified to receive an additional payment for personal injury in exchange for a release of any future claims against Norfolk Southern and third parties.

All awards will be determined only after all forms have been processed.

To schedule an appointment for assistance with a claim, residents can call 833-425-3400. Appointments are recommended as walk-ins will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Questions can be directed at the Settlement Administrator (Kroll Settlement Administration LLC) by phone at 1-833-425-3400 or by email at info@eastpalestinetrainsettlement.com.

Claim forms should not be emailed but can be mailed to East Palestine Train Derailment Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324.

Residents can also visit eastpalestinetrainsettlement for more information.