A jury recently awarded a North Texas family $3 million dollars in damages. The family alleged a drilling company’s activities near their home caused chronic headaches, nose-bleeds, wheezing, and other illnesses according to The Texas Tribune.
The decision suggests that even if oil and gas operators are following state and environmental regulations, they still could be held liable for being what state law calls a “nuisance.”
Lawyers for the plaintiffs, Bob and List Parr, say the case gives hope to those who believe they are suffering from the effects of drilling activities.
Lawyers for the defendant, Aruba Petroleum, say the jury’s decision should be thrown out because there is no evidence drilling causes health problems.
Further details about the case are available from the Texas Tribune.