Earthquake attorney Scott Poynter reports a lawsuit filed in the Pawnee Nation courts blaming two energy companies for the 2016 Labor Day weekend quake near Pawnee is moving ahead.
On his law firm’s website, the Little Rock, Arkansas attorney indicating Pawnee Nation Judge Dianne Barker Harold heard arguments on Friday in the case.
The case involves a lawsuit brought by the Pawnee Nation against Cummings Oil and Eagle Road Oil, blaming their wastewater disposal well operations for the 5.8 magnitude quake. It was the strongest recorded quake in state history and prompted the tribe to declare a state of emergency. The quake was so strong it was felt as far south as San Antonio, Texas and as far north as Fargo, North Dakota. Residents in Memphis, Tennessee felt it. So did those living in Gilbert, Arizona. Damage was reported 300 miles away in the Kansas City area.
The two energy firms attempted to have the case moved to state courts, arguing the Pawnee Nation Court lacked jurisdiction. But Judge Harrold, according to Poynter, ruled “the Pawnee Nation’s District Court did in fact have jurisdiction over the case and over the Defendants.”
Poynter explained it means the lawsuit will now enter the discovery process.