Pennsylvania’s geology makes it eligible for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to extract natural gas from the ground. But the controversial practice can be dangerous. In fact, people have filed a variety of fracking injury claims after suffering harm. If you believe you have developed an illness due to a hydraulic fracturing project. Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer today. Our Pennsylvania fracking injury lawyers can pursue a legal claim on your behalf.
Illnesses Near Fracking Projects in Pennsylvania
Cancer is among the most devastating health problems that may be associated with fracking. A 2017 analysis warns that fracking wells may expose nearby residents to chemicals that may cause cancer. In addition, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation identified an alarming number of cases of rare childhood cancer in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. Most recently, the Department of Health announced plans to investigate the health effects of fracking after dozens of young Pennsylvanians were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma and other cancers near drilling sites.
A 2019 study examined the possible link between fracking and a variety of health problems, including:
- Preterm births, low birth weight, and high-risk pregnancies
- Asthma exacerbation and other respiratory problems
- Migraines
- Fatigue
- Sinus issues including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)
- Skin disorders
- Psychological and stress-related effects
Pollution in the air, water, and soil, combined with the stress caused by the light, noise, and truck traffic associated with fracking, may be causing these and other adverse health impacts.
If you are suffering from an illness near a fracking site, we can get answers. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has successfully represented many people in toxic tort cases, which refer to legal claims for harm caused by exposure to a dangerous substance. Call us to speak with a lawyer about your fracking injury case right away. There is no obligation or fee for the initial consultation.
Injuries Involving Fracking Vehicles and Equipment
Fracking has become popular in part because the operations bolster Pennsylvania’s economy. Fracking operations bring in millions of dollars in profits for the energy companies. The companies promise good jobs with good pay. But because there is little to no regulation or oversight of highly profitable fracking companies, they can cut corners. They push employees beyond their limits by overworking them. Employees must drive long distances in large fracking trucks, industrial vehicles, or their own cars after working long shifts. As a result, they return exhausted. This process can lead to serious crashes, injuries, and deaths on the roadways.
Even if the employer puts a strong emphasis on workplace safety, a single job site can have workers from over a dozen companies on location. Not every business will make safety their top priority, even though fracking operations can be dangerous.
Fracking-related accidents might include:
- Crashes involving trucks or vehicles for fracking operations. This includes fracking water pump trucks, tanker trucks, dump trucks, operator trucks, or equipment trucks.
- Accidents with machinery on a fracking site.
- Burns caused by contact with chemicals, fracking brine, or from a rig or fuel fire.
- Explosions that occur on a fracking site from gas or within a gas well, gas storage area, water well, or pipeline.
- A rig fuel spill.
The attorneys of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have successfully represented people who have been severely injured as a result of negligence in fracking projects. Once case involved a McKean County, PA client who was struck by a fracking truck as a pedestrian. The truck was backing up at a fracking site, deep in the Allegheny National Forest, in Warren County, PA. Our client sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery, as well as a neck injury. We obtained $450,000 in a mediated settlement for our client.
If an incident occurred and you are unsure whether negligence is to blame, call us. We’ll discuss the situation and your options moving forward.
Contact our experienced Pennsylvania fracking injury attorneys
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers is Pennsylvania’s only statewide “local law firm.” Over the past 25+ years, our firm has recovered substantial compensation for clients in all 67 counties. Together, our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience handling injury and toxic tort claims. We have negotiated some of the largest personal injury settlements in Pennsylvania. Many of our clients have had their cases turned down by other law firms before they called us. We have recovered millions of dollars for these clients.
We know what your case is worth, and we know how to get you the settlement you deserve. Contact us to speak with a Pennsylvania fracking injury lawyer right away. There is no obligation or fee for the initial consultation, and we will explain how to take action.