The state of Ohio sued Norfolk Southern on Tuesday to ensure that the railway pays for all cleaning expenses and damages related to the toxic chemicals spilled during the derailment last month. 

"Ohio shouldn't have to bear the tremendous financial burden of Norfolk Southern's glaring negligence," Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said after filing the lawsuit.

Through the lawsuit, the State is seeking civil penalties and other economic losses from the incident. 

The train derailment in East Palestine spilled more than one million gallons of hazardous chemicals, recklessly endangering residents and violating a total of 58 federal and state laws.

Read more: Ohio sees second Norfolk Southern train derailment in one month

"The citizens of the region have been displaced, their lives interrupted and their businesses shuttered," the complaint stated. 

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After a total of 39 cars derailed, hazardous chemicals spilled into rivers and other "still-unknown Ohio waterways."

The complaint also said the derailment was avoidable and came as the direct result of Norfolk Southern's practice of putting its own gains above the health and safety of communities.

"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" where the railway operates, the complaint said.

The Atlanta-based railway claimed that it was making daily progress in safely cleaning up the site while providing financial assistance to residents and businesses that were affected.

The fright railway expressed their awareness of residents' fear of the impacts of chemical spillage. 

"We understand these concerns," the railway said. "We are committed to working with the community to provide tailored protection for home sellers if their property loses value due to the impact of the derailment."

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