Norfolk Southern Updates Claims Release Language

Norfolk Southern Railway Co. on Friday issued the following statement from Robert Wells, its general manager of casualty claims, regarding the handling of claims associated with the Jan. 6 accident in Graniteville, South Carolina that killed nine people:

“Shortly following the Jan. 6, 2005, derailment and evacuation at
Graniteville, S.C., Norfolk Southern Railway Co. established a temporary emergency Local Assistance Center to expedite the handling and payment of certain expenses and losses incurred by citizens impacted by the accident and subsequent evacuation. It is our intent through the settlement of claims involving incidental expenses, inconvenience, evacuation costs and substantiated property damage to ease the impact of the accident and evacuation on the community.

“Recently there has been an inquiry about the scope of the release language associated with endorsement of the settlement check. This is to confirm that, as indicated by Norfolk Southern claims personnel, settlements of such claims for incidental expenses, inconvenience, evacuation costs and property damage claims, where we have utilized endorsement checks, does not preclude submission of personal injury claims, claims for subsequently incurred incidental expenses, and unforeseen property damage claims in the future.

“All claims will be addressed on an individual basis and will be handled by the local Norfolk Southern claims office. Claims should continue to be presented at our Local Assistance Center in Aiken while it remains open, and thereafter to:

“Again, Norfolk Southern regrets any problems experienced by the community and will continue to make every reasonable effort to address citizen concerns and claims as quickly as possible. We thank those who have cooperated with and aided our efforts to address this unfortunate incident.”