Watson Grinding & Manufacturing - Q3 2024
Watson Grinding & Manufacturing - Q2 2024
Watson Grinding & Manufacturing - Q1 2024
Q4 2023 Update
Q4 2022 Update
This northwest Houston neighborhood plant exploded in the early morning hours completely destroying the facility and killing 2 workers and an offsite individual, injuring many and destroying and damaging approximately 500 homes, buildings, and businesses in the area. Within a week both entities had filed for bankruptcy and laid off all 80 surviving employees.
This bankruptcy filing may have been in Watson’s best interest, but it put the interests of the families of the men who were killed and those 200 plus neighbors whose homes were damaged on hold. There is a question as to whether there is enough insurance to cover the deaths, injuries and property damages caused by the explosion. Watson filed an emergency motion proposing that its insurance be used to quickly pay off one of its bank loans rather than compensate any victims. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur denied that motion stating that his “vigilant” focus would remain on those most impacted by the Watson Grinding explosion: families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and property owners whose homes and business were damaged. Late last year, the bankruptcy court has lifted the automatic stay and allowed cases to be transferred back to state district court. All of Brent Coon & Associates’ cases have been filed in state court and claims have been made in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Texas Supreme Court recently created a state Multi District Litigation Court (MDL) to oversee all aspects of the litigation going forward. The new MDL judge is already setting procedures for how and when cases will be set for trial. These settings will help the parties move closer toward resolution. One of the most important new developments in the MDL court is the judge’s approval of a plaintiff “Fact Sheet” form. In the next few months, we will be completing these fact sheets for each client.
In addition, the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee has been proceeding with deposition of witnesses that are helping to shine light on the different reasons for this explosion, as well as the responsible parties.
In a very encouraging development, there have recently been some settlement discussions with certain companies with ownership interest in the Watson Valve facility. We will keep you updated if any actual proposed settlement is offered.
This bankruptcy filing may have been in Watson’s best interest, but it put the interests of the families of the men who were killed and those 200 plus neighbors whose homes were damaged on hold. There is a question as to whether there is enough insurance to cover the deaths, injuries and property damages caused by the explosion. Watson filed an emergency motion proposing that its insurance be used to quickly pay off one of its bank loans rather than compensate any victims. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur denied that motion stating that his “vigilant” focus would remain on those most impacted by the Watson Grinding explosion: families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and property owners whose homes and business were damaged. Late last year, the bankruptcy court has lifted the automatic stay and allowed cases to be transferred back to state district court. All of Brent Coon & Associates’ cases have been filed in state court and claims have been made in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Texas Supreme Court recently created a state Multi District Litigation Court (MDL) to oversee all aspects of the litigation going forward. The new MDL judge is already setting procedures for how and when cases will be set for trial. These settings will help the parties move closer toward resolution. One of the most important new developments in the MDL court is the judge’s approval of a plaintiff “Fact Sheet” form. In the next few months, we will be completing these fact sheets for each client.
In addition, the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee has been proceeding with deposition of witnesses that are helping to shine light on the different reasons for this explosion, as well as the responsible parties.
In a very encouraging development, there have recently been some settlement discussions with certain companies with ownership interest in the Watson Valve facility. We will keep you updated if any actual proposed settlement is offered.
Q4 2021 Update
This northwest Houston neighborhood plant exploded in the early morning hours completely destroying the facility and killing 2 workers and an offsite individual, injuring many and destroying and damaging approximately 500 homes, buildings and businesses in the area. Within a week both entities had filed for bankruptcy and laid off all 80 surviving employees.
This bankruptcy filing may have been in Watson’s best interest, but it put the interests of the families of the men who were killed and those 200 plus neighbors whose homes were damaged on hold. There is a question as to whether there is enough insurance to cover the deaths, injuries and property damages caused by the explosion. Watson filed an emergency motion proposing that its insurance be used to quickly pay off one of its bank loans rather than compensate any victims. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur denied that motion stating that his “vigilant” focus would remain on those most impacted by the Watson Grinding explosion: families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and property owners whose homes and business were damaged. Late last year, the bankruptcy court has lifted the automatic stay and allowed cases to be transferred back to state district court. All of Brent Coon & Associates’ cases have been filed in state court and claims have been made in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Texas Supreme Court recently created a state Multi District Litigation Court (MDL) to oversee all aspects of the litigation going forward. The new MDL judge is already setting procedures for how and when cases will be set for trial. These settings will help the parties move closer toward resolution. One of the most important new developments in the MDL court is the judge’s approval of a plaintiff “Fact Sheet” form. In the next few months, we will be completing these fact sheets for each client.
In addition, the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee has been proceeding with deposition of witnesses that are helping to shine light on the different reasons for this explosion, as well as the responsible parties.
This bankruptcy filing may have been in Watson’s best interest, but it put the interests of the families of the men who were killed and those 200 plus neighbors whose homes were damaged on hold. There is a question as to whether there is enough insurance to cover the deaths, injuries and property damages caused by the explosion. Watson filed an emergency motion proposing that its insurance be used to quickly pay off one of its bank loans rather than compensate any victims. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur denied that motion stating that his “vigilant” focus would remain on those most impacted by the Watson Grinding explosion: families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and property owners whose homes and business were damaged. Late last year, the bankruptcy court has lifted the automatic stay and allowed cases to be transferred back to state district court. All of Brent Coon & Associates’ cases have been filed in state court and claims have been made in the bankruptcy proceeding. The Texas Supreme Court recently created a state Multi District Litigation Court (MDL) to oversee all aspects of the litigation going forward. The new MDL judge is already setting procedures for how and when cases will be set for trial. These settings will help the parties move closer toward resolution. One of the most important new developments in the MDL court is the judge’s approval of a plaintiff “Fact Sheet” form. In the next few months, we will be completing these fact sheets for each client.
In addition, the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee has been proceeding with deposition of witnesses that are helping to shine light on the different reasons for this explosion, as well as the responsible parties.