It may sound like William and Beth Strudley have the legal playing deck stacked against them. The Western Slope couple has filed a lawsuit against Denver's Antero Resources, alleging they had to flee their Garfield County home because the oil-and-gas company’s drilling operations contaminated their air and water, causing health problems. But the Strudleys have pulled an ace from their collective sleeve: the powerful New York City Napoli Bern Ripka & Associates firm, which negotiated major settlements for Ground Zero cleanup crew victims (Colorado Independent). A representative for Antero, which began drilling wells in the area last August, has refused to comment (Denver Business Journal).

Though the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission maintains that water quality at the couple's well is acceptable, private test results are reportedly "abnormal." The Strudley family claims they've suffered from rashes and nosebleeds, and other residents "have complained of odors that have caused nausea,  dizziness, coughing, and burning eyes that they say are because of Antero's operations" (Associated Press).