The Collins Law Firm, P.C.
| 1770 N. Park Street Suite 200 Naperville, IL 60563 (630) 527-1595 |
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| Leib v. Rex Energy Operating Corp. |
* * Update: December, 2009: court grants preliminary approval of $1.9 million dollar settlement. * *
February 26, 2009: Judge grants Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification: please see here for a copy of the Judge's
Memorandum and Opinion Order. * *
On October 17, 2006, two Bridgeport, IL area families filed a lawsuit in federal court against Rex Energy Operating
Corporation of State College, PA, alleging that oil wells operated by Rex throughout the Bridgeport area in
Southeastern Illinois are polluting the families’ homes and community, and endangering their health, by emitting
“dangerous” levels of a chemical known as “hydrogen sulphide.”
Hydrogen sulphide is a poisonous gas categorized as an “extremely hazardous substance” under federal law. Exposure
to high levels of hydrogen sulphide can cause death. Exposure to lower levels can cause permanent neurological injury,
as well as respiratory, cardiac and other serious health problems.
Julia Lieb and Lisa Thompson, both of Bridgeport, IL, filed the suit on behalf of their families, and a proposed class
comprised of all families in the town. Their request for class action status for the suit will be made formally to the federal
court (the Southern District of Illinois) in the coming days.
Lieb and Thompson learned from the federal government (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Agency for Toxic
Substances Disease Registry) just last month that hydrogen sulphide levels – found at their homes through federal
government testing – were high, and potentially health-threatening. Their suit seeks a court order to stop Rex from
continuing this contamination; the establishment of a fund to monitor and treat local citizens for ill health affects caused
by hydrogen sulphide exposure; a monetary award to the families for injury to their property use; and punitive damages
against Rex for their “willful and wanton” behavior.
“This is a crisis,” said Shawn Collins, one of the attorneys for the Lieb and Thompson families. “Right now, these
families are defenseless against a dangerous chemical, and a company that evidently has little regard for their health and
property. We’re filing this lawsuit to help them reclaim their town, their homes and their peace of mind.”
Documents: Here is a copy of the Complaint filed.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with us, please contact Shawn Collins or Edward Manzke, at (630) 527-
1595 x 221 or x 226. Or email us at smc@collinslaw.com or ejmanzke@collinslaw.com
For general information about our environmental law firm, click here.