Skip to Main Content
Railroad News

Ohio Community Residents Spend Thanksgiving in Hotels and Shelters after CSX Train Derails and Punctures Hazardous Rail Cars

By Pottroff & Karlin LLC |

(Willard, Ohio – November 27, 2013)

The CSX railroad derailment just before midnight Tuesday night of four freight cars, three of them tank cars carrying hazardous materials, and the puncture of one carrying 26,000 gallons of styrene monomer, a highly-flammable, petroleum-derivative  liquid used primarily in the manufacture of polystyrene plastics, translated into a less-than-happy Thanksgiving holiday for hundreds of residents of Willard, OH, who lived in between 400 and 500 homes just west of downtown, and who were evacuated around 2:30 A.M. Wednesday.

Although only one car of two loaded with styrene monomer leaked through a four-inch puncture, the leak went unplugged for several hours, enabling about half the sweet-smelling, rapidly-evaporating substance to permeate the atmosphere sufficiently to necessitate the evacuation. The other two derailed cars carried butyl acrylate, which also is caustic to the eyes and exposed flesh, and non-hazardous corn syrup.

Willard residents affected by the evacuation were moved to rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Quality Inn hotels and motels in areas of town far from the CSX railroad yard, or in a shelter set up at the community’s high school. CSX was picking up the tab for accommodations and meals for the refugee families, but sleeping on cots or bedrolls in a high school gymnasium and being fed en-masse at a hastily-devised food line was far from the Thanksgiving to which most Willard residents were accustomed. As evacuee Jennifer Barnett, who was with her husband and three children, all of whom were quickly taken from their home without their personal vehicle, surmised, “Most likely, we’re not going to have Thanksgiving with our family.”

Chances of the evacuation being lifted as early as mid-day Thursday were slim as officials predicted the emergency conditions might well last into Saturday for those who lived closest to the CSX rail yard. Willard is about 65 miles west of Cleveland, OH.

CSX Spokesman Gary Sease reported that the tank cars involved were of the DOT-111 variety, a heavily-utilized tank car on American, Canadian and Mexican railroads and which NBC News Investigations had exposed this past September to have a serious design flaw. NBC said that “At least five times since 1991, the National Transportation Safety Board has raise concerns about the design of the car, including its relatively thin metal skin.”

While Willard police and fire dept. personnel scoured the evacuated area for pets left behind in the urgency of the operation, taking them to the local animal shelter where residents could reclaim their furry friends once the emergency was over, Ohio Governor John Kasich confirmed that he would travel to Willard Thanksgiving Day to meet with Willard city and CSX officials as well as join evacuees at the Thanksgiving dinner at the high school.


sb-news-bg

Railroad News



Testimonials

Train crash cases are unique and complex with many different potential pitfalls, such as federal preemption. Anytime I get hired or even get a call from a train crash victim, my very first call is to Nathan’s firm. Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.

James Perrin Lubbock, Texas

I have had the opportunity to work as co-counsel with Nathan on several railroad crossing accidents cases. In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive - strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.

Scott McCluen Harriman, Tennessee

Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan in a complex railroad personal injury case. I was impressed by Nathan’s knowledge, his work ethic, and his dedication to the client. I look forward to working with Nathan on future injury matters. I am also aware firsthand that he has obtained excellent trial and settlement results in numerous cases involving members of the public harmed by railroad companies.

Joseph M. Miller Mandeville, Louisiana

Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads. As a fellow personal injury lawyer, I have constantly been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his capabilities from case to case. I’d take him into battle with me any day against the biggest railroads and insurance companies on the planet.

Jon C. Clark Austin, Texas

Bob Pottroff has fought for the victims of the railroads’ callous disregard for safety more than any other attorney that I know. I should know because I am currently Chair-elect of the Railroad Section of ATLA.

Robert Schuetze Boulder, Colorado

Mr. Pottroff has shaken the rail industry to its very roots. Settlements are now more common as a result of the way he has exposed the industry’s wrongdoing.

Mike Easley Arkansas

Bob Pottroff’s work in railroad safety law is unmatched and he has been the source of great advice and phenomenal creativity.

Roger Brown Jefferson City, Missouri

In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.

Elizabeth Hardy Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Testimonials