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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In East Palestine, OH

Home Care East Palestine, OH

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in East Palestine, OH is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care East Palestine, OH

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I Work for always best care and I love it the clients are great the people in the office are wonderful and they work with you .. They give people a chance to better there lifes and make a living by help others and I just love everyone in this company. I will retire from here ????”

velinda C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have been with ALWAYS BEST CARE for about 10 years. The staff has always worked to make sure the Caregiver and I are a good match. One morning my Caregiver was unable to come. The owner of the company came to be my Caregiver that morning!! I have never had that happen with any other company. I ❤ ALWAYS BEST CARE!!! I recommend this company to everyone who needs a Caregiver!!!”

LOLA P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work there and the company tries as hard they can can't blame the company when the ppl call off I love this company and very proud to be here.......”

Tracy S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This company has a very kind team working very hard to make a difference in people's lives. Clients and staff. Owner has worked hard and professionally to give everyone the respect and chance they deserve!”

Angie S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has been taking care of my mom for almost two years now and we really appreciate their dedication and compassionate care. Thank you for everything.”

Habib N.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in East Palestine, OH?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care East Palestine, OH

Types of Elderly Care in East Palestine, OH

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care East Palestine, OH
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers East Palestine, OH
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care East Palestine, OH
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care East Palestine, OH

Benefits of Home Care in East Palestine, OH

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in East Palestine, OH, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care East Palestine, OH

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your OH's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care East Palestine, OH

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in East Palestine, OH understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care East Palestine, OH

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers East Palestine, OH

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Home Care East Palestine, OH

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care East Palestine, OH

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in East Palestine, OH 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care East Palestine, OH

Latest News in East Palestine, OH

East Palestine derailment victim lawyers 'devastated' as settlement administrator replaced

News"We are devastated that our hard work to achieve a $600M settlement remains unfulfilled," the attorneys said in a joint statement.Thursday, June 12th 2025, 6:38 AM EDTYOUNGSTOWN - A federal judge has removed the company in charge of distributing money to victims of the East Palestine train derailment, saying the company likely miscalculated payments and may have overpaid some people.U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson on Wednesday ordered Kroll Settlement Administration LLC to immediately s...

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"We are devastated that our hard work to achieve a $600M settlement remains unfulfilled," the attorneys said in a joint statement.

Thursday, June 12th 2025, 6:38 AM EDT

YOUNGSTOWN - A federal judge has removed the company in charge of distributing money to victims of the East Palestine train derailment, saying the company likely miscalculated payments and may have overpaid some people.

U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson on Wednesday ordered Kroll Settlement Administration LLC to immediately stop its work. She named Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions, Inc., as the new company to handle the payments.

This change happened after the lawyers representing the victims, known as "class counsel," asked for Kroll to be removed. Norfolk Southern, the railroad company being sued, did not object to Kroll's removal.

In her order, Judge Pearson said she had "sufficient reason to believe" that Kroll did not properly carry out its duties in managing the settlement. This means she found enough evidence to suggest Kroll failed to follow the court's instructions.

Specifically, the judge believes Kroll did not correctly follow the "Plan of Distribution," which is like a detailed rulebook for how the settlement money should be divided. This plan used a "point system" to decide how much each person would receive based on their damages.

The court's findings suggest Kroll did not accurately figure out the dollar value of each "point" in a program for people who were exposed to chemicals. Also, the order noted that Kroll might have made mistakes by not treating the Village of East Palestine differently from the larger East Palestine area (which includes the 44413 zip code), as the plan required.

"Because of these likely mistakes," the order stated, "the Court finds there is sufficient reason to believe that Kroll overpaid certain Class Members’ Voluntary Exposure claims to the detriment of other participating Class Members and the Qualified Settlement Fund.” This means some people might have received too much money, which could reduce the total amount available for other victims and from the overall fund set aside for the settlement, called the "Qualified Settlement Fund."

Attorneys representing the victims, including Jayne Conroy, Beth Graham, and Seth Katz of Simmons Hanly Conroy, Grant & Eisenhofer, and Burg Simpson, expressed their disappointment in an emailed statement.

"We are devastated that our hard work to achieve a $600M settlement remains unfulfilled," the attorneys said in a joint statement. They added that they would "continue to do everything we can for the community to get the Voluntary Exposure funds out to the hands of the citizens in the correct amounts."

The lawyers noted that they received many complaints about when payments were being made. They also recently learned about errors in Kroll's calculations. "As a result, we believe we have no choice but to audit these calculations," they stated.

Kroll was first chosen to manage the settlement on May 21, 2024. The court officially approved the settlement and the payment plan on Sept. 27, 2024. At that time, the court kept the power, or "continuing jurisdiction," to oversee how the settlement was handled.

The judge's order tells Kroll to fully cooperate with Epiq in transferring all responsibilities. This includes handing over control of the settlement's website, email, phone number, and all related information and documents within five to ten days. Kroll must also transfer control of the Qualified Settlement Fund to Epiq within five days.

Additionally, the victims' lawyers have been told to hire an independent expert, called a "qualified auditor," to thoroughly review Kroll's past payment calculations. This audit will determine the extent of any errors. The auditor's report will be given to the court when it's finished.

Judge Pearson also confirmed that the court still has ongoing authority over Kroll regarding its actions while managing the settlement.

OxyVinyls will contribute to the $600 million settlement in the East Palestine train derailment case

In September, a federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement against Norfolk Southern—the freight company responsible for the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released toxic chemicals into the air and local environment. The payment would compensate individuals and businesses affected by the derailment.Last week, Norfolk Southern reached an agree...

In September, a federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement against Norfolk Southern—the freight company responsible for the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which released toxic chemicals into the air and local environment. The payment would compensate individuals and businesses affected by the derailment.

Last week, Norfolk Southern reached an agreement with OxyVinyls—the OxyChem affiliate that manufactured the vinyl chloride carried on the Norfolk Southern train—under which OxyVinyls will contribute to the settlement.

The agreement came before an April 23 jury verdict in a federal court in Ohio that Norfolk Southern is fully responsible for paying the $600 million. Norfolk Southern had brought the case to court to try to get OxyVinyls and GATX, which owned some of the train’s railcars, to contribute to the settlement.

Vinyl chloride, a highly flammable carcinogen used for making polyvinyl chloride, was in five of the derailed cars. In a controversial move, authorities released and burned the liquefied vinyl chloride, fearing polymerization and a potential explosion that would send toxic gases and shrapnel into the local environment. An investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board later deemed this vent and burn “unnecessary.”

OxyVinyls also questioned the basis for making the vent and burn decision because, without an external initiator, a polymerization reaction couldn’t have occurred—information the company provided Norfolk Southern before officials made the decision.

Also, the temperature of the railcar’s shell didn’t continue to rise, as would be expected if a polymerization reaction were occurring. Norfolk Southern has argued that it received conflicting information from OxyVinyls’ representatives on the ground, and hence, the chemical company should also be held accountable.

Under the recent agreement, OxyVinyls will pay a portion of the $600 million settlement, but how much is unclear. C&EN contacted Norfolk Southern and OxyVinyls to get more details, but both companies responded that “the terms of the settlement are confidential.”

Norfolk Southern failed to get GATX, the company that owned the railcar whose wheel bearing overheated and caused the derailment, to contribute. The jury didn’t find GATX (or OxyVinyls) liable for damages and determined that the railcar company didn’t need to pay toward the settlement amount.

A jury decides Norfolk Southern should pay for the $600 million settlement in the 2023 East Palestine derailment

< < Back to EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The company that owned the railcar that caused the devastating East Palestine train derailment in 2023 won’t have to help pay for the $600 million settlement Norfolk Southern agreed to with residents.An Ohio jury decided Wednesday that GATX isn’t liable for the settlement even though the failure of a bearing on its railcar carrying plastic pellets caused the pileup on Feb. 3, 2023. GATX has maintain...

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EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The company that owned the railcar that caused the devastating East Palestine train derailment in 2023 won’t have to help pay for the $600 million settlement Norfolk Southern agreed to with residents.

An Ohio jury decided Wednesday that GATX isn’t liable for the settlement even though the failure of a bearing on its railcar carrying plastic pellets caused the pileup on Feb. 3, 2023. GATX has maintained Norfolk Southern operated and inspected the train and all the cars and was responsible for delivering the cargo safely.

“GATX is pleased with the trial outcome, which affirms what we have known for some time: Norfolk Southern alone is responsible for the derailment and resulting damage in East Palestine,” the company said in a statement.

Norfolk Southern called the verdict disappointing but said it won’t affect the railroad’s commitments to everyone affected by the derailment.

“For more than two years, Norfolk Southern has paid the costs related to the derailment while acknowledging and acting on our own responsibility for the accident. Our belief has always been that GATX shares in that responsibility and should also be held to account,” the railroad said in a statement.

After the train derailed in East Palestine, an assortment of chemicals spilled and caught fire. Then three days later, officials blew open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride because they feared those cars might explode, generating a massive black plume of smoke that spread over the area and forcing evacuations.

Norfolk Southern lost a similar lawsuit last year when it tried to force GATX and OxyVinyls, which made the vinyl chloride, to help pay for the environmental cleanup after the derailment that has cost the Atlanta-based railroad more than $1 billion. It made similar arguments in this trial.

These lawsuits have no effect on how much money residents or the village of East Palestine will receive from their settlements with the railroad. This cases only affect which company writes the check.

Last week, OxyVinyls agreed to a settlement with Norfolk Southern in this lawsuit over the class-action settlement after the railroad’s lawyers raised questions about the inconsistent information the chemical company provided about whether it was necessary to perform the vent-and-burn operation and release the vinyl chloride. The details of that settlement weren’t released.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed in its investigation that the vent-and-burn operation was unnecessary because the tank cars were starting to cool off and the railroad failed to listen to the advice from OxyVinyls’ experts or share their opinions with the officials who made the decision.

The railroad said GATX should have done more to take care of its railcar, particularly after it was surrounded by floodwaters, which could have damaged its bearings.

But GATX said it complied with all the relevant regulations for taking care of its railcars. The company said that even if the car was damaged six years earlier by standing parked in the middle of floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey, the railroad should have spotted the problem and repaired it, sending GATX the bill for the repairs.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the crash was caused by the failure of an overheating bearing on GATX’s railcar. The railroad’s sensors spotted the bearing starting to heat up in the miles before the derailment, but it didn’t reach a critical temperature and trigger an alarm until just before the derailment. That left the crew little time to stop the train.

Pennsylvania’s Public Health Response to the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

This entry is part 12 of 14 in the series May 2025On Friday, February 3, 2023, at 8:54 pm EST, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling large amounts of hazardous material into the area. The US Environmental Protection Agency reported that five of the 11 breached cars transporting hazardous materials contained vinyl chloride monomer, a highly volatile colorless compound produced for commercial use. The derailment site in E...

This entry is part 12 of 14 in the series May 2025

On Friday, February 3, 2023, at 8:54 pm EST, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling large amounts of hazardous material into the area. The US Environmental Protection Agency reported that five of the 11 breached cars transporting hazardous materials contained vinyl chloride monomer, a highly volatile colorless compound produced for commercial use. The derailment site in East Palestine is located approximately 800 yards from the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.

First responders mitigated attendant fires, but authorities expressed concern that the rising temperature in one of the tank cars might lead to a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, or BLEVE. Despite conflicting perspectives, Norfolk Southern and Incident Command performed a vent and burn procedure to alleviate the pressure, which resulted in a massive plume comprising phosgene gas and hydrogen chloride.

Due to overlapping geographic jurisdictions and the involvement of multiple state and federal agencies, evacuation and notification orders were inconsistent across Ohio and Pennsylvania. Furthermore, the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, a contractor hired by Norfolk Southern, reported equivocal results about air quality. Some findings downplayed the extent of harms to humans while others offered direct evidence to the contrary.

Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment was regarded as an environmental incident rather than a public health emergency, authority for response efforts was led by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with little input from local and state health agencies. Nevertheless, the train derailment and subsequent vent and burn procedure generated fears about public health and safety among residents who lived near the crash site. Below, we highlight actions taken by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to address public health concerns related to the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Our new case study in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice describes consequences of decision-making and implications for public health practice. Additionally, it poses discussion questions to prompt readers to consider issues raised by this disaster and potential disasters in the future. We encourage readers to pay attention to the formal and informal relationships between local, state, and federal authorities and to consider how these agencies addressed of failed to address health-related concerns.

For more information, read “When disasters cross state borders: Pennsylvania’s public health response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio” in the May issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

Related Resources

Matthew Fifolt, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Organization in the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His research focuses on program and quality improvement in evidence-based public health practice through high-quality program evaluation and assessment.

Andrew Pickett, MS, is the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. His areas of expertise include public safety, emergency management, and Geographic Information Systems.

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