CHARLESTON – Two more lawsuits have been filed against Antero Resources Corporation for damages due to the company’s fracking practices.
Antero Resources Appalachian Corporation and Hall Drilling LLC were also named as defendants in the suits.
Slathial A. Simmons, Tracie D. Simmons and E.T.S., a minor; and Kenna Sue Adams filed motions to join already filed cases to an existing mass litigation, according to two complaints filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
James C. Peterson and Aaron L. Harrah of Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee & Deitzler; and Anthony J. Majestro and J.C. Powell of Powell & Majestro moved that the civil actions join in to the existing Marcellus Shale litigation currently pending in Ohio Circuit Court.
In support of the motion, the plaintiffs state that these firms already represented more than 200 plaintiffs in similar actions and the allegations in the plaintiffs’ complaints of nuisance and negligence are similar to those already alleged, according to the motions.
The plaintiffs claims are similar to previously filed lawsuits, which claim that the plaintiffs own property in close proximity to numerous well pads owned, operated, drilled, maintained and otherwise controlled by the defendants.
The defendants' activities and instrumentalities frequently produce spills, emissions and discharges of hazardous gases and materials, chemicals and other industrial/hazardous wastes, according to previous suits.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants have frequently, repeatedly and substantially interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property.
The defendants have also repeatedly concealed the dangerous nature of their natural gas activities and the impact these activities have on nearby landowners and the environment, according to previous suits.
The cases are assigned to Circuit Judges Tod J. Kaufman and James C. Stucky.
Kanawha Circuit Court case numbers: 15-C-1993, 15-C-1994