People who lived or owned residential property near the November 2023 CSX derailment in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, may qualify for payments under a proposed $1.5 million class action settlement. Valid household or property-owner claims can receive up to $4,000 initially, with a possible increase to $6,000 if money remains.
The deadline to file a claim is October 19, 2026. Unlike many settlements that accept a claim form alone, this one requires proof connecting the claimant to an eligible address within the covered area.
Who is covered by the Livingston derailment settlement?
The settlement class generally includes people who, on November 22, 2023, either resided at or owned residential real property within a three-mile radius of the CSX Transportation derailment site in Rockcastle County.
The lawsuit alleged that the derailment caused personal harm and property damage to people in the surrounding community. CSX denies the allegations and denies wrongdoing. The proposed agreement resolves the disputed claims without a trial or a ruling that CSX is liable.
Eligibility turns on the specific residential address and its location within the defined radius. The official settlement website and claim process should be used to confirm whether an address falls inside the covered area.
How much could an eligible household receive?
An approved residential household or residential property-owner claim can receive up to $4,000. Any payment CSX previously made for the same address will reduce the settlement payment, so claimants should accurately disclose prior compensation when the form asks for it.
If money remains after the initial distribution and other authorized payments, approved claims may receive a proportional increase. The total is capped at $6,000 for each eligible household or property-owner claim. That higher figure is possible, not guaranteed; it depends on the number and value of valid claims and the money left in the fund.
Settlement administration costs, court-approved attorneys' fees and expenses, and any approved class representative award will also be paid from the fund. Payments will not be issued until the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved.
What proof must accompany a claim?
Claimants must provide official documentation showing residency at or ownership of the eligible property on November 22, 2023. Examples listed in the notice include a utility bill, driver's license, lease, property tax assessment, voter registration record, or a similar official record bearing the claimant's name and address.
A claim without adequate documentation may be rejected, so it is worth checking that the uploaded or mailed copy is legible and shows both the correct name and qualifying address. Claimants should retain the original document, a copy of the completed claim, and an online confirmation or mailing record.
Claims can be filed online or by mail and must be submitted by October 19, 2026. The settlement also permits claim assistance by phone. Anyone using mail should leave enough time for delivery and follow the exact instructions on the official form.
How will payments be delivered?
The default payment method is a paper check mailed to the address on file. Approved claimants who move should submit the settlement's change-of-address form so a check is not sent to an old location.
The administrator also offers an opportunity to request Venmo or a prepaid Mastercard instead of a check. That payment preference, or an address change, must be submitted by February 23, 2027. Choosing a delivery method does not change the amount of an approved claim.
What are the other important dates?
The deadline to object or request exclusion is October 5, 2026, two weeks before the claim deadline. Opting out preserves the right to pursue released claims separately but prevents the person from receiving a settlement payment. Objecting keeps the person in the class while asking the court to reject or change the agreement.
The final approval hearing is scheduled for December 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the federal courthouse in London, Kentucky. The notice does not identify a time zone. Class members do not need to attend to receive an approved payment.