Energy Companies Sued in Oklahoma over Earthquake Damage

A Prague, Okla., resident has filed a lawsuit against two energy companies seeking class-action status for people in nine counties who were affected by recent earthquakes.

Jennifer Lin Cooper filed the suit against Tulsa-based New Dominion LLC and Spess Oil Co. of Cleveland, Okla., along with 25 unnamed companies. Cooper is seeking class-action status for people in Lincoln County and eight surrounding counties whose homes were damaged by earthquakes that have been blamed on water disposal wells.

According to Cooper’s attorney, Scott Poynter, she has suffered property damage and property stigma that has lowered the market value of her home.

In 2014, Oklahoma experienced 567 earthquakes of a magnitude of 3.0 or greater. There were only 209 earthquakes in 2013.