Dominic Anthony Walsh / Texas Public Radio
A worker moves a platform at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing site in August 2020, more than half a year after the explosion.
More than five years after an explosion at a northwest Houston industrial facility killed three and caused extensive damage to surrounding neighborhoods, a jury awarded a group of surviving victims more than $100 million.
Last week, a Harris County jury found Watson Grinding and the 3M Company both partially responsible for the January 2020 explosion that occurred due to an improperly installed gas detection system. The plaintiffs in the case were awarded a total of $118 million.
Will Moye, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement that 3M admitted during the trial that it did not properly maintain the detection system.
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“The lead service technician admitted on the stand that 3M broke its promise to the community,” Moye said. “This verdict is a public indictment of corporate indifference. 3M built its reputation on safety, yet its own conduct contributed to one of Houston’s deadliest explosions. This jury made clear that even the most powerful corporations will be held accountable.”
The explosion occurred on Jan. 24, 2020, in a residential area in West Houston near 4500 Gessner Rd. at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing facility. Three people died, and at least 18 others were sent to nearby emergency rooms. Nearly 200 homes were reported as having some sort of damage as a result of the blast.
In June 2023, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that the explosion was a result of a “degraded and poorly crimped rubber welding hose,” which caused propylene, a flammable gas, to leak throughout the building overnight.
This is the second time this year that a Harris County jury has awarded victims of the explosion millions of dollars. In June, five victims were awarded nearly $38 million as a result of the damage they and/or their property sustained from the explosion.
Neither 3M nor Watson Grinding immediately responded to request for comment regarding the most recent verdict.
Several other lawsuits filed in response to the explosion are pending.