CLEVELAND — There were anger and frustration from some and relief from others as a federal judge signed off on a $600 million class-action settlement between Norfolk Southern and the people of East Palestine impacted by the train derailment last year.

While the majority of people who qualified for money from this settlement did take part, there were a lot of residents who were not happy about Judge Benita Pearson's decision to approve the settlement. Some felt like the process moved too fast, and they're concerned about the biggest unknown: the potential for long-term health impacts from exposure to toxic chemicals. 

East Palestine residents shouted outside the courthouse where it all went down.

The $600 million class-action settlement was between Norfolk Southern and those living within a 20-mile radius of the 2023 train derailment.

Nearly 55,000 claims had been filed, but some residents, like Krissy Ferguson, said the high number of claims doesn’t represent support for the settlement.

"Do not play a game, have a moral compass. Do not play a game with somebody’s family and health issues. I just feel like the truth was silenced," she said.

The judge also ruled on a 27% fee for attorneys, and some residents said that money is the reason the attorneys pushed for this settlement despite many like Laurie Harmon, wanted more time and more information first.

"They talked about who is getting paid, and how much they are going to get paid for, but they didn’t really talk much about the community. It was mostly negotiations on the amount of money that the attorneys. The class representatives are going to get paid," she said.

Residents who took part in the settlement means they give up the right to sue if they get sick later.

Spectrum News tried numerous times to reach out to the lead attorney Seth Katz, but haven't received a response and he refused to speak after the hearing.