Oklahoma Earthquake Settlement Reached
A $2.6 million class action settlement has been reached for Oklahomans who suffered property damage from earthquakes between 2019 and now. The lawsuit alleged that certain companies operated wastewater disposal wells that contributed to causing seismic activity, including a 5.1 magnitude quake. Eligible residents may now file for a payment from the settlement fund.
This recent settlement is part of a larger history of legal battles over induced seismicity in Oklahoma. Since 2009, the state has seen a dramatic surge in earthquakes, at times exceeding the rate of magnitude 3 or larger quakes in California. Scientific studies have linked this increase to the underground injection of wastewater, a byproduct of oil and gas production. The lawsuit names Freedom Energy, Montclair, New Dominion, and H&P as the defendants who operated the wastewater disposal wells. While the companies deny any wrongdoing, they agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation costs. This is not the first time energy companies have settled over earthquake damage claims in the state. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake on February 2, 2024, near Prague, Oklahoma, is a central event in this case. The shallow quake, just 1.8 miles deep, caused shaking felt across the state and as far as Kansas, leading to reports of cracked drywall, shattered brick exteriors, and other property damage. Following the event, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission restricted all injection wells within a ten-mile radius. The $2.6 million settlement fund is intended to compensate Oklahomans for property damage sustained from earthquakes between January 29, 2019, and the effective date of the settlement. Residents in counties with the strongest link to the alleged induced seismicity, such as Lincoln, Payne, and Pottawatomie, will have priority in the distribution of funds. The deadline for affected individuals to file a claim for a portion of the settlement is July 28, 2026.
