A class action lawsuit has been filed against the railway alleging Painesville residents were exposed to potentially hazardous smoke when 30 train cars derailed on October 10, 2007. The lawsuit was filed in Lake County Common Pleas Court against CSX Corp. on behalf of evacuated residents and disrupted businesses.
More than 200 Painesville residents were forced to evacuate and had to pay for hotels if they did not have a place to stay. The lawsuit seeks to have CSX pay for home inspections, disruptions to businesses, and other expenses that arose after more than 1,300 households and businesses were evacuated because of the derailment. The suit is also seeking immediate medical monitoring for residents, as well as full compensation of property values, all out-of-pocket losses, personal injury, pain, discomfort, inconvenience, and the loss of any pets.
