The State of Ohio is suing Norfolk Southern Railway in federal court, alleging the company was negligent, and that it broke both state and federal environmental laws when its train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals into the air and water last month in East Palestine.

The 58-count civil lawsuit cites the company's accident rate, which has risen 80 percent in the past ten years, and seeks to hold them financially responsible for "recklessly endangering" both the health of area residents, and Ohio's natural resources.

The suit, which was filed by Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, claims the derailment was entirely avoidable and the direct result of Norfolk Southern’s practice of "putting its own profits above the health, safety and welfare of the communities in which Norfolk Southern operates."

In addition, the suit claims that toxic chemicals released from at least 39 rail cars have made their way into Sulfur Run, Leslie Run, Bull Creek, North Fork Little Beaver Creek, Little Beaver Creek, the Ohio River and/or some still-unknown Ohio waterways.

It also says the derailment “has caused substantial damage to the regional economy of the state of Ohio, its citizens and its businesses", and notes that citizens of the region have been displaced, their lives interrupted, and their businesses shuttered.

As a result, the suit claims that the State of Ohio is entitled to recover the lost taxes and other economic losses it has suffered, and seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs, damages, and court costs.