Uneasiness Persists About Marcellus Shale Operations

Some Pennsylvania property owners don’t like the idea of living next to a drilling rig and want their local governments to use zoning regulations to prevent the development of natural gas wells.

But local government leaders’ hands are tied to a great extent by a state law called the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act. The state law preempts local regulation of gas wells and extraction and gives the regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Local regulations may not apply to the location of a well, well site safety or even protection of  the water supply.

The pressing questions of  which local municipal regulations still apply and which are preempted are still being sorted out by the courts.

Natural gas drilling and extraction from the Marcellus Shale poses rewards and hazards for Pennsylvania communities. While there is the potential for significant economic benefit, […]

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$2.6M Medical Malpractice Verdict In Bethlehem

Doctor at fault for cancer misdiagnosis

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the United States, and failure to properly diagnose this disease can be devastating – even fatal – to the patient.  When this happens, it may result in a medical malpractice charge against the healthcare givers.

A ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ended a two-and-a-half year journey through the state courts for a $2.6 million medical malpractice verdict against St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network and one of its gynecologists.

The case was filed in Lehigh County; the plaintiff alleged that her doctor breached the standard of care when he did not advise her to have a biopsy on what turned out to be a cancerous lump in one of her breasts.

Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases.  We will evaluate your case thoroughly and explore all potential sources of recovery – we fight to protect the rights of patients.  […]

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$82.5 Million Awarded To Blast Victim’s Family

Company found grossly negligent in wrongful death case

As wrongful death attorneys, we deal with the grief and confusion a family feels following the unexpected and unnecessary death of a loved one.  It is difficult for family to maneuver through the maze of legalities while mourning the loss of their loved one, especially when the death is that of a young father and husband.

The Star-Telegram reports the family of a 27-year-old man who died of injuries suffered in an explosion at a natural gas processing plant has been awarded $82.5 million by a Harris County (Texas) jury.

In May, 2007, the young man was injured when a hot-oil treater exploded and he died at the hospital the next day.  The award will go to his widow and the couple’s three young children, including a son born shortly after his father died.

Exterran Energy Solutions L.P of Houston – […]

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$1.7 Million For Nerve Damage Following Baby’s Birth

Hospital responsible for mother’s nerve damage due to negligent anti-nausea injection

The Post-Standard reports a New York state Supreme Court jury has awarded a home-care nurse almost $1.7 million for permanent nerve damage following her baby’s birth three years ago.

The lawsuit was filed against Community General Hospital after the hospital administered an intramuscular injection in an attempt to stop the woman’s vomiting following the birth of her third child. The suit claimed the injection was given too low causing damage to the woman’s sciatic nerve.

The 34-year-old mother now suffers from lower back pain and is unable to sit or stand for any length of time and has other physical problems as a result of the nerve damage.  Although she still works as a home health care nurse, her doctors believe her condition will become worse.

Our attorneys at Munley, Munley, […]

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Luzerne County Prepares for Drilling Disaster

In preparation for Encana Oil & Gas USA’s plan to begin drilling a well at a site in Fairmount Township, the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency has begun an emergency response plan in case of a drilling disaster. Town officials are working closely with the energy company to identify the protocol to handle any local natural gas drilling-related catastrophe that might occur.

According to an Encana spokesperson, the local firefighters and emergency responders are not responsible for containing or fighting a gas well fire or gas release at a well site, however, they will be asked to provide support to Enanca’s specially trained teams.

Encana admits that “risks are inherent in the oil and natural gas industry,” but that safety is their top priority. They will look to local emergency responders to secure and evacuate the immediate area, in an emergency, while the designated well-control company representatives are en route to the disaster site. […]

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