CLARKSBURG – A couple is suing Antero Resources Corporation after they claim it was responsible for a fire that caused an employee severe burns and injuries.
Triple J Oilfield Services and Recon Oilfield Services were also named as defendants in the suit.
On Nov. 11, 2016, Recon and/or Triple J brought a 115 Volt 25 Amp Alltite hydraulic pump to a well site and operated it in an area which was a hazardous location to operate electrical equipment not certified or safe for operation, according to a complaint filed Aug. 10 in Ritchie Circuit Court and removed to federal court on Oct. 12.
Jeffrey Maggard and Lauren Maggard claim the defendants knew or should have known that the pump was not certified, approved or safe to operate within the hazardous area on the well site and that bringing the equipment onto the site and operating it violated industry safety standards.
As a result of the defendants’ violation of their duties and responsibilities, a fire or explosion occurred at the well site, which caused Jeffrey Maggard to be severely burned, injured and damaged, according to the suit.
The Maggards claim that Jeffrey Maggard was working at the well site when the fire erupted . The defendants failed to warn Jeffrey Maggard of the dangerous conditions.
The defendants negligently, carelessly and wrongfully caused and/or permitted a dangerous device or devices to be brought to the well site and to cause a fire and explosion thereon which posed a danger to persons present on the well site, according to the suit.
The Maggards claim they incurred medical bills; a loss of income; physical and mental pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of life; permanent injuries; and Lauren Maggard lost the consortium of her husband.
The Maggards are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are being represented by Marvin W. Masters and Kelly Elswick-Hall of The Masters Law Firm.
The defendants are represented by Melvin F. O’Brien of Dickie McCamey & Chilcote; and Edward A. Smallwood of Litchfield Cavo.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number: 1:17-cv-00173