Oklahoma Judge Won’t Toss Suit over Earthquake Damage

An Oklahoma judge has rejected a request from two energy companies to throw out a lawsuit by a woman who claims she was injured in an earthquake caused by the injection of wastewater.

Lincoln County District Judge Cynthia Ferrell Ashwood on Friday overruled the motions to dismiss that were filed by Oklahoma-based Spess Oil Co. and New Dominion LLC.

The lawsuit by Prague resident Sandra Ladra alleges the companies are liable because they operated wastewater disposal wells that triggered the largest earthquake in state history, a 5.6-magnitude temblor in 2011. Ladra claims the quake crumbled her fireplace, causing rocks to fall on her knee.

The companies wanted the lawsuit dismissed because they say Ladra waited too long to file it.

Related:

• Company’s Wastewater Kills Over 30,000 Fish in Oklahoma
• Energy Companies Want Oklahoma Judge to Toss Earthquake Suit
• Oklahoma Disposal Well Plan Expected Following Recent Quakes
• New Rules Limit Amount of Wastewater in Oklahoma Disposal Wells
• Oklahoma Commissioner to Insurers: Clarify Earthquake Coverage