Fracking Company Sues Homeowner With Flammable Water For Alleged Defamation

by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

Steve Lipsky of Weatherford, Texas, was a happy homeowner until 2010, when he discovered that his water well was contaminated with gas.  The contamination was so widespread, that Mr. Lipsky was able to light his water on fire and did so for official demonstration purposes only.   As a result of the gas contamination, Mr. Lipsky was forced to shut off the well to his house and import water at an average cost of $1,000 per month.  

In 2011 the EPA determined that the cause of Mr. Lipsky's well contamination, was the drilling activities of Range Resources at a nearby fracking facility.  Range Resources, instead of compensating Mr. Lipsky for his damages, decided to sue Mr. Lipsky for more than three million dollars alleging defamation.  In October 2013, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals ruled that Range Resources may move forward with their defamation suit, which claims that Mr. Lipsky misled the public about being able to set his water on fire.  Mr. Lipsky's battle has been a high stakes game of intimidation, compromised health and judicial bias.  Although Mr. Lipsky continues his legal fight against Range Resources, capitulation may be near as his financial well is running dry.  

Read the full post at www.liattorney.com/scales-of-justice.html.