The Kimberley Prospector

USA – Just weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, the residents are being asked to sign a contract that could prevent them from suing later on. Catlyn Schwarzwaelder and her boyfriend Chris Wells, who live near the site of the accident, had their home tested for toxins but before the testing could begin, Norfolk Southern, the company that operated the train, asked them to sign a hold harmless agreement. The agreement would indemnify the company from “any and all legal claims, personal injury or property damage.”

A Hold Harmless form is a legal document that releases a company, such as Norfolk Southern Railway Company, from responsibility for damages caused by their negligence or actions. It is wrong for the company to ask residents to sign such a form after a chemical spill has affected their residential property, as it could be seen as an attempt to absolve the company of any liability.

The couple refused to sign the agreement and Schwartzwaelder said, “It’s not something a person can ever imagine experiencing. From one day to a beautiful place and a beautiful home to the next day feeling like you have absolutely nothing. It’s surreal.”

Schwartzwaelder and Wells had to transport over 30 of their pets from their house as they were getting sick from the chemical release. They also shared that they have been experiencing symptoms themselves.

This incident raises serious questions about Norfolk Southern and its history of safety. Ohio Senator JD Vance was outraged by the news, saying “The communities of these products are running through. They should be made aware of what’s going through their backyards. It shouldn’t be a mystery as to what’s inside the tank.”

Norfolk Southern has had 111 freight train accidents in the last year and 125 the year prior, making them one of the worst in terms of safety. They didn’t come to the town hall meeting held to discuss the incident and Wells said, “From what I’ve been told, they are worried about their safety, but they’re not worried about our safety.”

Despite the couple’s refusal to sign the agreement, Schwartzwaelder reported that several hundred of their neighbours did sign it. This raises serious concerns about the safety of the residents in East Palestine, Ohio and the surrounding areas.