BALTIMORE — Residents of Baltiimore’s Curtis Bay area have filed a class action lawsuit against CSX Transportation over the Dec. 30, 2021, explosion at the railroad’s Curtis Bay Coal Piers, claiming negligence led to the blast that released “poisonous and carcinogenic chemicals” including lead and arsenic.
WJZ-TV reports the residents are seeking $5 million in compensation.
The suit, filed Tuesday by residents Cheyenna Shongo and Kennett Walker, claims the railroad’s “intentional and unreasonable operation, maintenance, and staffing” of the Curtis Bay facility led to the explosion, and as a result, residents suffered “substantial and unreasonable impacts including discomfort so as to be unable to fully and safely use and enjoy their property.”
No one was injured in the explosion, blamed on the buildup of methane gas in an unventilated conveyor belt. It was reportedly felt miles away and caused broken windows and other damage at nearby residences. CSX has subsequently been cited for federal violations by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration [see “CSX cited for serious violations in explosion …,” Trains News Wire, July 12, 2022], and by Maryland for violation of air-pollution rules [see “State cites CSX for environmental violations …,” News Wire, July 25, 2022].
The Coal facility has been in that location for over 100 years. It’s been upgrades numerous times so it’s not like it was when first built. It’s a lot safer now than it was years ago, but things do happen.
80 to 90 % of the homes in this area weren’t constructed till after the coal pier was built and Almost everyone wasn’t born yet when this facility was constructed. People are now complaining. My question: Why did you move to that neighborhood knowing that facility was so close by.
EXAMPLE. High school friend purchased a house. Great deal he thought. Turns out it was near the flight path for the airport. Then for the next 25 years complained about the NOISE from the jets taking off and landing. Got tired of it. Moved and Sold to someone who is now complaining about the noise. Either live with the situation or MOVE.
Exactly. To remove it as just the cost of doing business, make it 500 million dollars, or 5 billion dollars. Take it out of the executives pay and then fire them and then into prison for life.
Only $5 million? That’s chump change for CSX. How many millions did they pay to get EHH? Pay it and be done with it.