HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — 5 victims of the 2020 Watson Grinding warehouse explosion in Spring Department have been awarded $37.9 million by a Harris County jury on Tuesday.
Watson Grinding declared chapter shortly after the explosion, however attorneys within the case say insurance coverage firms later settled claims to the tune of $52 million.
Tuesday’s judgement pertains to 3M and Teledyne-Detcon, two firms attorneys say did work on the warehouse’s fuel detection system.
Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Security and Hazard Investigation Board concluded the fuel detection system wasn’t working on the time of the blast.
When a hose dislodged and extremely flammable propylene started leaking, investigators say employees weren’t alerted. They stated the propylene ignited when a employee flipped a light-weight change.
ORIGINAL REPORT: That is the second of the lethal explosion in northwest Houston
Amelia Diosdado, one of many plaintiffs within the lawsuit, instructed Eyewitness Information in Spanish that she was sleeping in her home when objects started falling on high of her, hitting her head and neck.
Margarito Gonzalez-Garcia stated the blast triggered his roof to collapse on him whereas he was strolling downstairs.
It is unclear how a lot cash the victims will truly obtain.
“It is a verdict, proper,” lawyer Rob Kwok stated. “It is a piece of paper with a quantity on it. We nonetheless have to gather on it. And 3M’s received their attorneys, they have their appellate staff, they’ve the power to pull this on without end.”
3M and Teledyne-Detcon did not return requests for remark.
For information updates, comply with Luke Jones on Fb, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
