Oklahoma Court Allows Fracking Earthquake Injury LawsuitsJuly 1, 2015 — The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that oil companies can be sued for injuries caused by earthquakes linked to drilling operations, the New York Times reports.

The lawsuit was filed by Gary and Sandra Ladra against Spess Oil Co. and New Dominion, LLC, two companies that operate wastewater injection wells near her home in Prague, Oklahoma.

In November 2011, Ms. Ladra was sitting in a recliner by her fireplace when a magnitude-5.0 earthquake hit. The two-story brick chimney on her home crumbled and large pieces of stone fell through the roof into her lab, seriously injuring her knees and legs.

Oklahoma is not known for seismic activity. The region had just one or two earthquakes per year before 2009, the same year oil companies began using hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to shatter deep rock layers to extract oil and gas. The process produces massive amounts of wastewater, which are injected into deep disposal wells. Critics say these wastewater injection wells are responsible for causing earthquakes.

Last year, there were 585 earthquakes in Oklahoma, and this year the state is on track to see 1,100 magnitude-3.0 quakes or more. Experts told Bloomberg it is “very likely” that the 600-fold increase in earthquake activity in some parts of the state is triggered by the injection of wastewater into disposal wells.

Need a Texas Fracking Earthquake Injury Lawyer?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas fracking earthquake injury lawyers for a free lawsuit review.

Meet Your Attorney

Collen A. Clark

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

“Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

To contact Collen, please fill out the contact form below:

Free Confidential Case Evaluation

Verified 100% Secure SiteTo contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 879-3040.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.