Dick Law Firm - Watson Explosion Review

Over a year after the tragic Watson Grinding and Manufacturing explosion, insurance claims from property owners harmed by the blast are still being made.

According to the Insurance Council of Texas, over 1000 homeowner claims and 350 auto claims have been filed with the explosion. It's difficult to quantify the cost of the explosion's damages at this time because many of the injured structures would require additional inspections by contractors and engineering teams to assess the full extent of the damage.

When it comes to something as unique as this explosion, we look at it from the angle of what damages we can see vs what damages aren't apparent at the inspection but may arise later with an engineer's report or a contractor.

Meanwhile, attorneys representing victims of the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing Co. explosion in northwest Houston believe the guilty party or parties would be held liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

Around 2000 consumers were affected by the Watson Grinding incident at 4525 Gessner Road on January 24, according to Eric Dick, an insurance claims attorney with the Dick Law Firm in Houston. According to city officials, the bomb destroyed at least 1000 adjacent homes and businesses, but Dick believes the number will rise to at least 2,000.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the property damage were between $700 million and $900 million at the end of the day," Dick told the Houston Business Journal.

According to Dick, homes and businesses within a one-mile radius of the Watson Grinding mill experienced structural damage worth $100,000 to $300,000. Many of Dick's clients have caved-in roofs, damaged windows, splintered rafters, and foundation fractures due to the devastation. However, many property owners would overlook less evident structural faults for weeks or months, according to Dick.

Dick has encouraged his clients to temper their expectations after Waston Grinding and Manufacturing and Watson Valve Services Inc. voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 6. Many of those harmed want to be placed precisely where they were before the explosion, which Buzbee believes will take a long time and a lot of effort.

"Watson is not going to provide the funds. The fact that they filed for bankruptcy indicates that they believe their debts are higher than their assets. "Dick stated his opinion.

Watson Grinding and Manufacturing representatives declined to comment on the company's ongoing legal battles.

On January 24, two people were killed in a chemical explosion that occurred early in the morning. At roughly 4:25 a.m., the blast killed Frank Flores and Gerardo Castorena, who had arrived early at the facility to exercise before work.

Gilberto Mendoza Cruz, who was hurt by falling debris from his damaged home and died due to the blast, is being investigated by local authorities. According to media sources, Cruz died on February 5 after being hospitalized for high blood pressure after being treated for injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder due to the explosion. Cruz's lawyers allege he died as a result of chronic injuries sustained in the incident.