WELCH – A group of individuals allege their groundwater has been contaminated by the mining activities near their homes.
Teldia Haywood, Robert Haywood, Joanna Bowling, Russell Roberson and Carolyn Edwards originally filed a complaint in McDowell Circuit Court against Caretta Minerals LLC and CNX Gas Co. LLC citing the groundwater protection rule. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia by the defendants.
The plaintiffs allege that their well water is brown and contains caustic chemicals as a result of the blasting, fracking and drilling operations for mineral extraction near their homes. They also allege they have sores and swelling because of the hazardous materials and their property values have diminished.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants have extracted minerals in a negligent and intentional manner to allow runoff from their activities to contaminate groundwater.
The plaintiffs are seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiffs are represented by Robert C. Carlton of Carlton Law Office in Williamson.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number 1:19-CV-00264