Seven victims of the 2020 Watson Grinding explosion were awarded more than $118 million by a Harris County jury last week after deliberating for three days.
After a two-week trial, the jury on Thursday found 3M Company, which designed and manufactured products that were shipped and sold to Watson Grinding for installation at the facility, 49 percent responsible for causing the explosion that killed three people and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Plaintiff lawyer Rob Kwok of Kwok Daniel said while his clients are “elated and overjoyed,” it has been an emotional journey for the victims. Kwok said 3M has “perpetually” denied any responsibility for the incident.
“Even though the jury said they must pay, maybe 3M is going to try to figure out a way to appeal it or wiggle out of it,” he said.
Kwok worked alongside Will Moye of Moye Law Firm. Earlier this year, in a trial against 3M and Teledyne-Detcon, the duo secured a jury verdict of $37.9 million on behalf of five residents affected by the West Houston explosion.
“We have 995 more individuals waiting for their day in court,” Kwok said.
In January 2023, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur approved a $52 million insurance settlement for some of the victims of the explosion.
3M Company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case is In re: January 24th Explosion Litigation, 2021-15294.