Oklahoma Homeowners Win $550K Payout After Man-Made Earthquakes Rock the State — Here’s Who Can Claim
Three Oklahoma oil and gas producers have agreed to pay a combined $555,000 to settle allegations that their wastewater disposal wells triggered earthquakes that caused widespread property damage across the state.
The Oklahoma earthquake damages class action settlement benefits homeowners, municipal bodies, county governments, and tribal governments that owned or had an interest in real property between January 19, 2019, and February 2, 2024, and whose properties were damaged by earthquakes, foreshocks, or aftershocks.
The settlement stems from the case Salzman et al. v. Freedom et al., Case No. CJ-2024-0043, filed in the District Court of Lincoln County. Plaintiffs alleged that Spess Oil Co., Circle 9 Resources, and Culbreath Oil & Gas Co. Inc. were responsible for induced seismic activity through deep-well injection of wastewater — including the magnitude 5.1 quake that struck near Prague, Oklahoma, on February 2, 2024.
While the defendants denied liability, they agreed to the payout to avoid prolonged litigation and the costs of trial.
Settlement Details
Eligible claimants will receive cash payments based on the extent of verified property damage. Funds are divided geographically:
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Zone A: Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee and Creek Counties
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Zone B: All other counties in Oklahoma
90% of the fund is reserved for Zone A, with 10% allocated to Zone B. If the total claims exceed the fund, payments will be distributed on a pro-rata basis.
Key deadlines:
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Opt-out deadline: September 27, 2025
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Objection deadline: October 10, 2025
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Final approval hearing: October 20, 2025
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Claim submission deadline: January 25, 2026
Why This Settlement Matters
This case underscores the legal risks facing the oil and gas industry amid growing scientific evidence that disposal wells can trigger seismic events. Oklahoma’s rate of earthquakes has soared in the past decade, forcing regulators to acknowledge man-made, or “induced,” causes.
According to William Leith, Senior Science Advisor for the U.S. Geological Survey,
“The link between wastewater injection and earthquakes in Oklahoma is well established — in theory, in the lab, and in the field.”
That scientific consensus has opened the door to successful lawsuits. Previously, plaintiffs struggled to prove causation; now, seismic mapping and injection-well data have changed the legal landscape, making industry accountability more achievable.
Legal Considerations
Homeowners who experienced quake-related damage now have a clearer path to recovery. Here’s what this settlement means from a consumer-law perspective:
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Compensation for verified damage: Claimants may recover funds for structural cracks, foundation shifts, or other earthquake-related harm backed by repair estimates or engineering reports.
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Future property disclosure: Oklahoma sellers in affected counties must disclose prior earthquake damage or claims. This requirement may influence resale value and insurance eligibility.
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Insurance implications: Standard homeowners’ policies often exclude earthquake damage. Filing a valid claim under this settlement could help offset uncovered losses — but residents should also consider separate earthquake riders going forward.
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Regulatory trend: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) continues to monitor and restrict high-volume injection wells under its “traffic-light” system. Properties near red- or yellow-classified wells may face new safety advisories or inspection requirements.
Legal analysts say the settlement is small in dollar terms but symbolically powerful, signaling that courts are increasingly receptive to property-owner claims tied to environmental or industrial negligence.
Who’s Eligible for Oklahoma Earthquake Payouts
Class members include individuals, municipal or tribal governments who:
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Owned or had an interest in real property within Oklahoma between January 19, 2019, and the settlement’s effective date.
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Experienced physical property damage from earthquakes, foreshocks, or aftershocks during that period.
Proof Required:
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Documentation of ownership (e.g., deed or property tax record).
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Evidence of earthquake-related damage (repair estimates, invoices, photos).
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Links to seismic events such as the February 2, 2024, Prague quake or others recognized by the U.S. Geological Survey.
How to File a Claim
Eligible claimants can submit a claim online or by mail:
Website: OklahomaEarthquakesLawsuits2024.com
Email: admin@OklahomaEarthquakesLawsuits2024.com
Mailing Address:
Salzman Class Action Settlement
Attn: Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 301132
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
Phone: 888-777-6403
Claims must be submitted or postmarked by January 25, 2026. Fraudulent claims are subject to penalty of perjury.
Legal Representation
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Class Counsel: Scott Poynter — Poynter Law Group
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Defense Counsel:
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E. Edd Pritchett — Durbin Larimore & Bialick
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Charles D. Neal — Steidley & Neal
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Alvin R. Wright — Law Office of Alvin R. Wright
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Broader Impact
This is one of the first post-2020 induced-seismicity settlements to move from scientific debate to direct consumer compensation. Experts believe similar claims could follow in Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas, where injection-well activity mirrors Oklahoma’s patterns.
For property owners, the message is clear: document everything — damage, repairs, and communication — to preserve future claim rights. For energy companies, the case is a reminder that environmental accountability is no longer optional.
Settlement Website: OklahomaEarthquakesLawsuits2024.com
Claim Deadline: January 25, 2026
Case: Salzman et al. v. Freedom et al., Case No. CJ-2024-0043 (District Court of Lincoln County, OK)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Oklahoma Earthquake Settlement
1. Who qualifies for the Oklahoma earthquake class action settlement?
Anyone who owned or had an interest in real property in Oklahoma between January 19, 2019, and February 2, 2024, and suffered earthquake-related damage may qualify. That includes individuals, homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and tribal governments whose buildings or land were affected by seismic events linked to wastewater injection wells.
2. How much money can Oklahoma homeowners receive from the $550K settlement?
Payments will vary based on the extent of verified property damage and the claimant’s location.
Under the settlement, Zone A counties — including Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, and Cleveland — receive 90% of the total fund, while Zone B (the rest of the state) receives 10%.
If total claims exceed the fund, payments will be distributed proportionally (pro rata) among approved claimants.
3. How do I file a claim for the Oklahoma earthquake damage settlement?
Eligible residents must submit a claim form — along with proof of ownership, damage documentation, and repair estimates — by January 25, 2026.
Claims can be filed at OklahomaEarthquakesLawsuits2024.com or mailed to:
Salzman Class Action Settlement, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132.
