Marcellus Shale and Fracking
Injuries, illnesses linked to fracking in Marcellus Shale
Once virtually an impossible task, drilling for gas in the massive Marcellus Shale is now a realistic prospect. Improvements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (hydro-fracking) has opened the door for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region, which runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and parts of New York.
Unfortunately, hydro-fracking has some unintended consequences. Some families in the region are getting sick by drinking contaminated water. Already, fracking lawsuits have been filed against Southwestern Energy, claiming the company contaminated the water supply in Lenox Township, Pa.
Additionally, Marcellus Shale workers or residents in the region are sustaining injuries as a result of the fracking process.
How a personal injury attorney can help
If you or a loved one was injured due to drilling in the Marcellus Shale, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Pennsylvania can provide legal assistance. To learn about your rights, call 1-800-HURTLINE today to speak with an injury attorney with Recht Law Offices.
Fracking at the Marcellus Shale has created thousands of jobs in rural communities that have been hit particularly hard by the economic downtown. While jobs are certainly welcome, the process used to extract the natural gas may lead to serious injuries that demand the attention of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
What is fracking?
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process in which natural gas is extracted by creating fractures in rocks. The fractures are created by injecting under pressure millions of gallons of water, sand and proprietary chemicals into a well, which fractures the shale. Natural gas then flows more freely out of the well.
In the case involving Southwestern Energy, a lawsuit claims fracking fluid leaked into the water supply, creating neurological problems. The chemicals may cause cancer.
Adverse symptoms reported by some people affected by fracking at the Marcellus Shale include the following:
- Respiratory problems
- Numbness in the hands and feet and other neurological issues
- Forgetfulness
- Motor skill problems (dropping objects)
Environmentalists have argued that oil companies are refusing to disclose the chemicals that are being mixed with the water, a claim disputed by Southwestern.
Marcellus Shale accidents
The work at the Marcellus Shale is dangerous by nature, with a risk of explosions due to the mixture of gas and liquid at high pressures and at high temperatures. Workers injured in Marcellus Shale accidents, or those affected by Marcellus Shale fracking injuries, may be entitled to compensation. Don't hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer in West Virginia, Pennsylvania to learn about your rights. We may be able to assist you with a workers' compensation claim or a personal injury claim against a third party.
Some reports have surfaced about drivers or passengers being injured in car accidents as a result of damage to the road from semi trucks transporting equipment to the wells. Tank explosions on work sites also have caused injuries.
Questions about who is responsible for safety also have come up. A variety of contractors and third parties work on the well sites, which can lead to complicated liability issues in case of a Marcellus Shale accident.
We can protect your rights in a Marcellus Shale accident
For a free consultation, contact Recht Law Offices, serving Wheeling, Weirton, Steubenville, St. Clairsville, Moundsville, Wellsburg, and other communities in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. We are prepared to analyze your potential Marcellus Shale fracking claim and discuss your legal options. If you were injured in a car accident or at work due to drilling, you need to discuss your rights with a personal injury attorney. Call 1-800-HURTLINE today. A delay may affect your rights.