Harris County Jury Awards $61.5 Million Against 3M for Families Devastated by Watson Grinding Explosion
Kwok Daniel law firm wins third major bellwether trial, holding 3M accountable for West Houston neighborhood disaster
A Harris County jury handed down a verdict of $61.5 million against 3M Co. for Houston homeowners devastated by the Jan. 24, 2020, Watson Grinding & Manufacturing explosion which killed three people and destroyed or damaged more than 450 surrounding homes and businesses.
This marks the third successful bellwether trial in the multi-district litigation holding 3M responsible for the explosion. Two previous verdicts totaled over $156 million.
The plaintiffs included 24 local community members whose homes were destroyed in the explosion. Trial testimony showed 3M's failure to properly service the facility's gas detection and alarm systems transformed a preventable gas leak into a historic disaster.
