New Dominion $5.9 Million Settlement for Earthquake Damages

TL;DR

Who Benefits?: Oklahoma citizens who owned a residence or commercial real estate property in certain counties and suffered earthquake damages from the November 2011 earthquakes near Prague, Oklahoma.

How much can I get?: Class members who submit an approved Claim Form will receive a cash payment from the $5.9 million settlement fund.

Important Dates

• Claim Filing Deadline: January 13, 2024
• Objection Deadline: September 15, 2023
• Final Approval Hearing: September 25, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Who Are the Class Members in the New Dominion Settlement?

If you are a citizen of Oklahoma and owned a business or residential real estate property in Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee, and Creek counties between November 5th and 8th, 2011, you may be a Class Member. The properties must have suffered earthquake damages from the earthquakes that occurred near Prague, Oklahoma, on or about November 5th, 6th, and 8th, 2011.

Class Members are defined as the following:

• All Oklahoma citizens, and
• Those who owned a business or residential real estate property in the specified counties during the time of the earthquakes

Exclusions from the Class include New Dominion, its directors, officers, employees, and/or agents, the judge presiding over this action and her immediate family members, any person named as an individual plaintiff in another legal action brought against New Dominion and meeting the Class definition, and any person that timely “opts out” of the Class.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Class Members who submit an approved Claim Form by the deadline will receive a cash payment. The amount of the cash payment will be determined by the number of valid claims submitted and other factors.

The Subject of the Settlement

The settlement resolves claims against New Dominion, LLC regarding their alleged responsibility for causing earthquakes near Prague, Oklahoma, in November 2011, which resulted in property damages.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, to claim an award from this settlement, you must submit a Claim Form with the necessary details and proof of your eligibility as a Class Member. Proof includes damages with repair bills, repair estimates, photographs, and any other evidence of damages that you have.

How to Claim Your Award

You must file a Claim Form by January 13, 2024, to claim your award. You can file your Claim Form online at https://kccconnect.com/oklahomaearthquakeslawsuit/Claimant or print it from the official settlement website and mail it to the address provided on the form.

Analysis of the Settlement Amount

The $5.9 million settlement fund will be distributed to Class Members who submit valid claims. The settlement amount was agreed upon through negotiations between the parties.

Why Is There a Class Action Settlement?

The class action settlement is the result of a lawsuit claiming that New Dominion's oil and gas wastewater disposal well operations caused earthquakes that led to damaged properties in certain Oklahoma counties. However, New Dominion denies these claims. The settlement avoids the costs and risks of ongoing litigation.