W.Va. Defendants Cite Federal Statute in Removing Suit from State Court

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A drilling company and other defendants in a lawsuit alleging contamination of a West Virginia family's drinking water wells have removed the suit to federal court, asserting both federal question and diversity jurisdiction. Hagy, et al. v. Equitable Production Co., et al., No. 2:10-cv-1372 (S.D. W.Va.).

The lawsuit filed by Dennis Hagy and his family in Jackson County, W.Va., in October was removed by defendant Warren Drilling Company Inc. to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on Dec. 10.

Hagy alleges that the family's drinking water well has been contaminated by …