Residents file lawsuit over November earthquake in Cushing

CUSHING, Okla. (AP) – Five companies are being sued over a magnitude 5.0 earthquake at Cushing.

The lawsuit filed Monday by David and Myra Reid, Valerie Branyan and Timothy Harris names White Star Petroleum, Crown Energy Company, PetroWarrior LLC, Cher Oil Company and FHA Investments LLC. It asks for more than $10,000 for property damage, market value loss to property, emotional distress and punitive damages.

It alleges the companies caused the quake by injecting wastewater in the area.

After hours phone calls Monday to the companies rang unanswered or messages were not immediately returned.

Officials say the Nov. 6 quake substantially damaged 40 to 50 buildings, but no damage was reported at a nearby oil storage hub.

Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s increase in earthquakes to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production.