OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT WHISTLEBLOWER BREAKS SILENCE ON SETTLEMENT. (PHOTO).

 Ohio train derailment whistleblower breaks silence on settlement

A whistleblower is speaking out over concerns that victims of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment were misled in the $600 million class-action settlement with Norfolk Southern. Critics argue that the attorneys handling the case prioritized financial gain over the interests of plaintiffs, potentially shortchanging those affected by the chemical spill.

Beth Kosar, sister of former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar and daughter of the late Canton mayor Bernie Kosar Sr., revealed at a town hall that many residents were unaware of critical details when they signed onto the lawsuit. Kosar, who previously worked for Perfected Claims assisting with the class action, said residents were not informed about certain risks, including long-term health effects linked to chemical exposure. She described a system in which class members were encouraged to accept settlement terms and avoid pursuing personal injury claims independently. One plaintiff, 27-year-old Austin Druckenbrod, said he was pressured to accept the settlement quietly despite a Cleveland Clinic diagnosis of reactive airway disease attributed to the chemical exposure.

While Druckenbrod’s former attorney denied instructing clients to remain silent and emphasized that options to opt out of the settlement were explained, Kosar maintains that pressure to settle was widespread. She said residents who resisted were often left without representation. Kosar and more than 200 other East Palestine residents have filed a motion for relief with the federal judge overseeing the case, citing “substantial evidence of fraud and misrepresentation” by class counsel who allegedly concealed expert findings on health risks.

Attorney Mindy Bish, representing Kosar and other residents, described the situation as a betrayal of the community, saying the court must recognize the extent to which plaintiffs were misled. Kosar emphasized that the lack of transparency and perceived misconduct by lawyers and government officials have caused more outrage than the derailment itself. She called attention to ongoing concerns about the health and safety of residents affected by the incident.