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2005 Graniteville, South Carolina Train Accident and Chemical Spill Left Hundreds Injured, Says Latest Official Report

Three years after the deadly train collision and toxic chlorine gas spill in Graniteville, South Carolina that killed nine people and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is saying that over 1300 people can be considered victims of the train crash that involved a Norfolk Southern freight train striking a parked train located close to an Avondale Mills plant. The freight train was carrying poisonous chlorine gas, which spilled into the area following the crash.

Yesterday, January 6, 2008, marked the 3rd anniversary of the deadly crash. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit ends today at 5pm EST. Personal injury lawsuits must be filed at the Aiken County Clerk?s Office.

The Charlotte Observer says that the recent data released by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control last week included the following findings:

? More than half of the Graniteville residents screened in fall 2005 had decreased lung function, a general category for a range of breathing ailments.
? More than a quarter had some inflammation of their airways.
? Three people who didn't smoke showed signs of emphysema, a disease often associated with smoking.
? More than a quarter of those screened had lung disorders and did not realize it.
? Nearly a third of the residents screened showed signs of asthma-like disease.

Although 851 people sought medical attention soon after the accident, many others have experienced ongoing breathing problems, mental problems, emotional trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, or lung disease (such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema). Many people continue to remain unemployed in the wake of the crash.

Norfolk Southern has settled the wrongful death cases filed by the family members of all nine victims and has reportedly paid millions related to the deadly crash. Personal injury claims and lawsuits have been filed by many of the victims.

If you have been injured or suffered damages in a train accident anywhere in North Carolina or South Carolina, you should contact an experienced train accident lawyer immediately.

You may be entitled to personal injury compensation for your injuries. A train collision attorney will know how to properly pursue your claim so that you can receive compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, any trauma, lost wages, and other related damages and losses.

2005 Graniteville train spill linked to breathing problems, Charlotte Observer, January 7, 2008

Graniteville: 3 Years Later, WRDW.com, January 4, 2008

SC study finds hundreds harmed after 2005 train wreck, spill, Telegram.com, January 3, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Graniteville Train Accident

Norfolk Southern

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on January 07, 2008 (boomark / email).