Court Pares Down Employee Injury Suit Arising From Fracking Explosion

BISMARCK, N.D. - A North Dakota federal judge has granted an oil and gas driller's motion for partial summary judgment in a suit alleging injuries from a hydraulic fracturing operation, finding that the plaintiff employee did not assert viable claims for premises liability, res ipsa loquitur or dangerous activity claims. Armes v. Petro-Hunt LLC, No. 4:10-cv-078 (D. N.D.).

The April 27 order by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland did not address the three remaining counts brought by Trevor and Stacia Armes against Petro-Hunt LLC: negligence, retained control and loss of consortium.

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District …