30 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 12/9/12:

Resident Files Lawsuit Over Negligence In Paulsboro Train Derailment

It’s been less than 10 days since a freight train derailed in Paulsboro spilling hazardous chemicals into the air.

A mother of three who says she is experiencing breathing problems because of the spill, has already filed suit.

Here's the story.

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 12/13/12:

Number of Plaintiffs Suing Conrail Over Paulsboro, NJ Derailment Nears 100

As the cleanup from the Conrail freight train derailment in Paulsboro, NJ continues, people are lining up to sue the rail carrier over the leak of vinyl chloride.

Continue

[amtrakwolverine]

The bridge was replaced in 2009 after it collapsed then 3 years later the same bridge collapses again. Begs the question was it not rebuilt correctly or was only part of it replaced and they didn't inspect the rest of it for damage in 2009.

Edited by amtrakwolverine, 13 December 2012 - 07:02 PM.

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 1/3/13:

More Lawsuits, Less Business In Wake Of Paulsboro Train Derailment

The number of legal claims against Conrail by Paulsboro residents could jump several times higher. In the days after the November 30th chemical accident, 54 residents filed a lawsuit. But, the legal team handling their claims says it could grow to over 400.

Read more.

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 3/2/13:

Conrail Decides Fate Of Bridge Damaged In Paulsboro Train Derailment

As the National Transportation Safely Board continues to investigate last November’s train derailment in Paulsboro, New Jersey, Contrail has decided to build a new movable bridge.

Full story

[KevinKorell]

CBS Philly, 5/15/13:

Lawsuit Says Conrail Endangered People Near 2012 Paulsboro, NJ Derailment-Spill

Another lawsuit has been filed in the wake of the derailment and toxic spill last year in Paulsboro, NJ.

Go on....

[CNJRoss]

NTSB news release:

NTSB to Hold Investigative Hearing on 2012 New Jersey Train Derailment and Haz-Mat Release
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JUNE 25, 2013

WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board is convening a two-day investigative hearing to discuss and gather additional factual information into the ongoing investigation of a Conrail freight train derailment and hazardous material release in Paulsboro, New Jersey. The investigative hearing will be held July 9-10 in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, DC, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public. The investigative docket for this accident will be opened at the start of the hearing.

On November 30, 2012, at approximately 7 a.m. (EST), a southbound Conrail freight train, consisting of two locomotives and 82 cars, derailed seven cars while traveling over a moveable bridge spanning Mantua Creek in Paulsboro, N.J. Four tank cars, three containing vinyl chloride and one containing ethanol, came to rest in Mantua Creek. One of the derailed tank cars was breached and released approximately 20,000 gallons of vinyl chloride into the creek and surrounding area. No fatalities resulted from the accident; the train conductor and several residents were treated at local hospitals for exposure to vinyl chloride and released. According to Conrail, the initial estimated equipment damage, which does not include environmental remediation, is $450,654.

Parties to the investigative hearing are: Consolidated Rail Corportation (Conrail), State of New Jersey (Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Health), Borough of Paulsboro (Police and Fire Departments and Office of Emergency Management), Federal Railroad Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, United Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, United Transportation Union and U.S. Coast Guard.

The derailment analysis along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause will be provided when the investigation is completed and adopted by the Board later this year.

[KevinKorell]

USA Today, 8/7/13:

Conrail wants N.J. train derailment suit tossed

Conrail has asked a judge to dismiss an emergency responder's lawsuit arising from last year's train derailment in New Jersey, saying the man can cite no actual damage from the incident.

Update

[CNJRoss]

NJ.com South Jersey Times, 5/29:

Paulsboro train derailment, chemical spill caused health problems in half of residents, DOH reports

PAULSBORO — More than half of Paulsboro residents surveyed experienced some type of symptoms following a November 2012 train derailment and chemical spill, a New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) report states.

The report, titled "Vinyl Chloride Exposure Study of the Community and Local Emergency Responders," was posted on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) website on May 22 and it details the results of two surveys conducted of Paulsboro households — one a door-to-door, in-person survey, the second a mailed survey that was sent to every house in the borough.

Conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, using the ATSDR's existing Chemical Exposure protocol, the in-person survey was conducted between Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, 2012. The mail-in survey was sent to all Paulsboro households on Dec. 27, 2012.

To view the DOH Health Survey results, click here

Continue.

[CNJRoss]

CBS Local News, Philadelphia, PA, 7/29:

NTSB Faults Conrail Training and Procedures in 2012 Paulsboro, NJ Derailment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) — The National Transportation Safety Board today issued its final report on the cause of the Paulsboro, NJ train derailment and chemical spill two years ago.

After hearing the investigators’ final report, Dr. David Mayer, the NTSB’s managing director, said the first factor was Conrail allowing the train to proceed past a red signal light with the rail slide locks not fully engaged, and the reliance on a training and qualification program that did not prepare the train crew to examine the bridge lock system.

SNIP

In addition, the NTSB made 20 safety recommendations to local, state, and federal officials, to implement rules ensuring that train crews, first responders, and others would be on the same page in the event of similar accidents and hazardous material releases.

Read more.