April 11, 2014 — Trial is underway in the first hydraulic fracturing lawsuit to go before a jury. The plaintiffs, Robert and Lisa Parr of Wise County, Texas, allege that they have lost property value and developed serious health problems after more than 50 natural gas wells opened within a 2-mile radius of their home.
The family originally filed suit in 2011 against several oil and gas companies. However, legal claims against Halliburton were dismissed. The Parrs also reached a $400,000 settlement with Encana Oil & Gas and Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Co.
They are now pursuing negligence claims against Aruba Petroleum, the only remaining defendant. The family is seeking $9 million, according to Law360
The Parrs told local news station FOX 4 that their well water was contaminated and they get sick from breathing the air on their property:
“Lisa says she made several trips to doctors’ offices and emergency rooms for up to two dozen unexplained symptoms while living in their home — everything from rashes to nausea and exhaustion.”
The Parrs also say their 7 year-old daughter developed severe nosebleeds. When they visited an environmental doctor, blood tests showed several neurotoxins that matched the chemicals used in fracking wells near their home.
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a controversial technique for extracting natural gas from pockets deep underground. Oil and gas companies inject a secret cocktail of chemicals, water, sand, and other substances using extremely high pressure. The companies do not have to reveal exactly what chemicals they use because it is a “trade secret.”
Do I have a Fracking Water Contamination Lawsuit?
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