Houston bankruptcy court OKs $52M insurance settlement for industrial explosion victims

The explosion, caused by a 2,000-gallon propylene tank, killed three people and caused property damage as far away as a half-mile.

By Adolfo Pesquera | January 31, 2023 at 01:43 AM

The explosion in West Houston led to Watson Grinding and Watson Valve filing for bankruptcy protection on Feb. 6, 2020. (Credit: ROMAN/Adobe Stock)

A Harris County bankruptcy judge approved a $52 million insurance settlement in favor of victims of an industrial explosion that killed three people and damaged 450 homes. On January 26, 2023, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur approved the settlement presented by the legal team of Porter Hedges.

In a prepared statement, Porter Hedges noted that the explosion was caused by a 2,000-gallon propylene tank. It killed two workers of Watson Grinding and Manufacturing and a neighbor. It also caused property damages as far away as a half-mile.

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