Norfolk Southern

In January, a train crashed into parked railroad cars and ruptured a car carrying chlorine. It released a poisonous cloud that killed nine and injured 250 people; another 5,400 people were evacuated. A class action was filed against the railway to reimburse Graniteville residents and businesses for property damages and lost wages. Norfolk expects to pay $35 million for cleanup costs, legal claims, and all other expenses from the wreck. Under the settlement, the railroad will also pay $2,000 per household, as well as $200 a day per person in the household for the time they were evacuated. (Aug-17-05) [WASHINGTON POST]