East Palestine residents sue attorneys and doctor over derailment settlement

A new lawsuit has been filed in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court by East Palestine residents seeking damages from attorneys and a physician involved in the aftermath of the 2023 train derailment. The 51-page complaint alleges that residents were persuaded to sign releases waiving their rights to future personal injury compensation based on medical assurances that there would be no long-term health impacts.

The lawsuit targets several legal entities and individuals, including Mikal C. Watts, Russell T. Abney, and the Watts Guerra Law Firm, as well as Dr. Arch Carson. Other named defendants include representatives from Grant & Eisenhofer, Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Hardine, and Simmons Hanley Conroy.

While the attorneys secured a $600 million class action settlement—with $162 million in fees and $18 million in expenses—the plaintiffs claim the legal advice led them to forfeit potential claims for diseases that have not yet manifested.