In a victory for Texas plaintiffs and community safety, Will Moye, founding attorney of Moye Law Firm secured a $37.9 million jury verdict Tuesday in a case where 3M offered nothing to settle. The win came just one day after Moye helped defeat Senate Bill 30 (SB 30), a controversial tort reform measure aimed at capping civil jury awards and limiting Texans’ access to full compensation.
“This was a week where truth prevailed at the Capitol and in the courtroom. We warned the legislature that SB 30 would silence victims and their families. And on Monday, that bill died. On Tuesday, a Harris County jury sent a $37.9 million message that justice still matters in Texas,” Moye said.
Moye tried the case alongside Robert Kwok and Ryan Loya of Kwok Daniel, LLP.
The jury found 3M and its subsidiary Teledyne Detcon responsible for selling and servicing a gas detection system that catastrophically failed during the January 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing. The blast killed three people, injured many more, and destroyed hundreds of homes in Houston’s Spring Branch neighborhood. Trial evidence showed that a 3M technician had falsely certified the system as operational, despite critical alarms and sensors never being properly connected.
Before trial, 3M refused to offer even a nominal settlement. Instead, the company insisted it bore no responsibility and urged the jury to assign all blame to Watson Grinding, which filed for bankruptcy shortly after the explosion.
At one point during trial, a 3M attorney asked one of the plaintiffs, a 50-year-old Latina housekeeper whose home and health were destroyed, why she had not “just driven for Uber” to recover financially.
“That kind of corporate arrogance is exactly why we go to trial. They didn’t take the case seriously. Thankfully, the jury did,” Moye said.
With five years of pre-judgment interest, the total judgment is expected to exceed $40 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Will Moye?
Will Moye is a veteran Houston trial attorney with more than two decades of courtroom experience. He previously defended some of the world’s largest corporations before founding his own plaintiffs-only law firm in 2024.
What is the Watson Grinding explosion case?
The January 24, 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in Spring Branch killed three people and destroyed a residential neighborhood. Moye helped prove that 3M and Teledyne Detcon failed to properly install or test a gas detection system that could have prevented the blast.
What was the verdict?
A Harris County jury awarded $37.9 million to five plaintiffs. With pre-judgment interest, the award will exceed $40 million.
Why is this verdict significant?
The verdict coincided with the death of SB 30, Texas legislation aimed at reducing large jury awards. Will Moye played a direct role in defeating the bill and securing justice for his clients—all in the same week.
About Will Moye and Moye Law Firm
Will Moye is a courtroom-tested trial attorney with over 25 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Before founding Moye Law Firm, he spent his career defending some of the nation’s largest energy companies, manufacturers, and insurers, giving him a rare, strategic understanding of how powerful corporations assess and fight legal claims.
Today, Moye uses that insider knowledge to fight for individuals and families catastrophically harmed by explosions, workplace safety failures, defective products, and corporate negligence. He has tried high-stakes cases across Texas, from major metropolitan areas like Harris and Travis Counties to smaller rural venues, earning a reputation for tough, strategic, and compassionate advocacy.
Moye is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), one of the most prestigious organizations in the legal profession, reserved for experienced trial lawyers who exhibit high personal character, integrity, and proficiency in trial advocacy.
He founded Moye Law Firm in 2024. Headquartered in Houston, it is a plaintiffs-only trial firm dedicated exclusively to catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation. The firm’s mission is simple: to deliver fearless, strategic, and personalized representation to those whose lives have been shattered by preventable disasters. The firm’s attorneys bring over 80 years of combined courtroom experience, including significant backgrounds as former defense counsel for major corporations. Their unique perspectives enables the firm to anticipate defense strategies and build powerful, winning cases on behalf of injured clients. Their primary practice areas include:
- Interstate trucking accidents
- Industrial and plant explosions
- Oilfield and petrochemical accidents
- Unsafe workplaces and OSHA violations
- Product liability
- Wrongful death and catastrophic injury
For more information, visit moyefirm.com.
