The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern for the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials near East Palestine, Ohio, last month.

The suit, which has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Ohio, asserts that Norfolk Southern unlawfully polluted waterways in the area via the discharge of the hazardous materials that were on the train.

OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO OFFER TESTING AND PHYSICAL EXAMS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

The civil action being brought by the DOJ is on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, per the filing, and is looking to "ensure it pays the full cost of the environmental cleanup."

The DOJ is "seeking injunctive relief, cost recovery, and civil penalties" for the pollution to the various waterways it says were affected as a result of the derailment, per the lawsuit.

Norfolk Southern has previously vowed to pay for the cleanup of the derailment and the surrounding area, but the legal action looks to ensure the rail company will be held liable for the environmental disaster.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a lawsuit earlier this month, accusing Norfolk Southern of violating various federal and state laws.

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The Ohio Department of Health recently announced it would begin offering blood and urine testing along with physical exams to first responders who worked to clean up the derailed trains and the hazardous materials.

The Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine had 20 cars carrying hazardous materials. Of those, 11 derailed, causing environmental and safety concerns in the surrounding rural area.