Gas driller wants judge to set aside $4.24M verdict
HARRISBURG – One of the largest natural gas producers in Pennsylvania is asking a U.S. magistrate judge to set aside a $4.24 million jury verdict that found the company polluted the well water of two families.
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. has maintained its drilling wasn’t responsible for elevated methane levels in water wells in the northeastern Pennsylvania village of Dimock.
The company said in court papers Thursday the attorney for the families engaged in misconduct that tainted the jury. Cabot’s lawyers also contend the plaintiffs’ well water was tainted before the company started drilling.
The federal jury in Scranton found Cabot was negligent.
Cabot is asking for the verdict to be set aside entirely. In the alternative, the company said it wants a new trial or for damages to be reduced to no more than $85,500.