An Oklahoma woman can pursue a jury trial after she was injured when her fireplace crumbled in an earthquake she claims was caused by saltwater waste pumped into the ground, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
The move further exposes the energy industry in Oklahoma to trials over such earthquakes, which scientists increasingly say are linked to large-scale wastewater injection wells from drilling operations. A state agency has even said it is “very likely” that the frequent quakes of magnitude-3 or higher are triggered by such operations. Other lawsuits against the energy industry are pending in Oklahoma and elsewhere.
The justices’ procedural move could usher in more litigation and weaken the industry, energy lawyers have argued.
Proponents of regulation, however, have said the threat of energy companies being liable for earthquake damages could result in safer practices.
