Texas Couple Win $2.9 Million Jury Award in Drilling Lawsuit

"FORT WORTH, Texas -- A Wise County couple who sued Plano-based Aruba Petroleum, claiming that natural gas operations near their 40-acre ranch made them sick, has won a $2.9 million award from a Dallas jury.

Plaintiffs Bob and Lisa Parr had sought more than $9 million in the lawsuit, filed in 2011, alleging that Aruba's drilling operations at one point forced them to move from their Decatur property. In a 5-1 verdict Tuesday, the jury found that the company created a nuisance that substantially interfered with the Parrs' use of their land.

The jury's award included $275,000 in damages for lost property value; $2.4 million for past mental anguish, pain and suffering by the couple and their daughter; and $250,000 for future pain and suffering. The Parrs presented medical evidence that the family's health issues began about the time Aruba drilled the wells in 2008."

Jim Fuquay reports for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram April 23, 2014.