Lawsuit against Cabot Oil & Gas settled

CHARLESTON - A lawsuit filed by a Cross Lanes man against Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation after he was injured while working has been settled and dismissed.

GasSearch Drilling Services Corporation and Roger Dial, an employee of GasSearch Drilling Services Corporation were also named as defendants in the suit.

On May 7, an Agreed Order of Dismissal was filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Denver Milam and the defendants notified the court that all matters set forth in the action have been settled and agreed upon, according to the dismissal.

On May 21, 2009, Milam was tripping out a well using a rig that was owned by Cabot, according to a complaint filed May 19, 2011, in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Milam claimed the defendants failed to train him, which violated the Occupational Health and Safety Administration rules and regulations.

The defendants failed to maintain the drilling rig in a safe and suitable condition, which caused Milam’s injuries, according to the suit.

Milam claimed the defendants were negligent in allowing the Speedster 185 drilling rig to be operated in a dangerous condition.

The defendants’ actions exposed Milam to a specific unsafe working condition that presented a high degree of risk and strong probability of serious injury, according to the suit.

Milam was seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He was represented by William M. Tiano of Tiano O'Dell PLLC.

The case was assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-825