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Hughes v. Emerald Mines Corp.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania
450 A.2d 1 (1982)

Written by Mary Pfotenhauer, JD

Facts

John and Anna Hughes (the landowners) owned property, on which there were two wells that provided potable water. Emerald Mines Corporation (Emerald) operated on a contiguous piece of property. Emerald dug an airshaft hole near the landowners’ wells, and injected grout into the airshaft. One of the landowners’ wells dried up, and the other became polluted. The landowners (plaintiffs) sued Emerald (defendant), claiming a non-trespassory invasion of their land. The trial jury found in favor of the landowners and awarded them damages of $32,500, based on the loss of the property’s value. Emerald appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Montemuto, J.)

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