ELR Citation: 43 ELR 20235
No(s). 12-1926 (4th Cir. Oct 8, 2013)

The Fourth Circuit, in an unpublished opinion, affirmed a lower court decision dismissing landowner's negligence and trespass claims against natural gas drilling companies for alleged well water contamination. The landowners failed to connect any allegedly wrongful conduct by the companies with the harm they claim to have suffered. Similarly, they have provided no evidence from which a reasonable trier of fact could conclude that the company is liable for trespass. In addition, prior to the drilling, the landowners entered into agreements with the companies in which they released all of their claims in return for due consideration.