April 3, 2023 - Final Claim Form Submission Deadline
Best, Rob Kwok
From Rob Kwok:
In my 30+ years of law practice this explosion hits closest to home. Literally, 5 miles from home. We woke up to the sonic boom that set off our house alarm on January 24, 2020 at 4:23am. My phone started ringing around 7am and hasn't stopped ringing since. Many close friends from Church and school live near the Watson facility. Some of my kids' classmates had homes destroyed. In fact, our lead Plaintiffs have 4 kids in school with our 4 kids. We're honored to serve their family during this explosion that destroyed their home. We were grateful to help them win their lawsuit against their homeowners insurance company so they could find a replacement home.
A bit about me, I'm board certified in personal injury trial law, and have represented people my entire career. I am AV rated, peer review/judicial review rated - the highest possible rating. I'm a Texas Super Lawyer and serve on the nominating committee for Texas Monthly Magazine. Serving my clients well is my top priority. We continue to offer Personal, Efficient and Agressive legal services at this firm since 1996.
I filed and won the first wrongful death case in the tragic 2005 BP Amaco Explosion that killed 23 workers. We won incredible results for all of our clients. I presented my last BP case to a Galveston County jury - and the case settled for many times the "final offer" after jury selection.
I also won the record setting jury verdict in the Channelview Explosion in 2014, that killed 1 worker and injured others. The 5-week jury trial record verdict landed Kwok Daniel LLP in the Texas Lawyers Hall of Fame.
When not working Explosion cases, my firm is one of the highest volume personal injury trial law firms in Houston. I'm so grateful for our world-class team of 66+ talented professionals. Update: we've added more team members in the past year to staff up for the Watson litigation and have tripled our mass torts division. We are grateful for our explosive growth!
Looking back on 2022, we are blessed and grateful for another record-setting year of income from our litigation practice. Partner Thomas Daniel continues to manage the firm well so my team may "work without worry" on your January 24 explosion cases.
Please know that I take each one of your cases personally. I'm deeply honored to represent 1,000+ of your family members, friends and neighbors. In December, I successfully concluded my appointment as co-chair of the January 24 Claimants Committee, and now serve in leadership on the January 24 MDL in state court. I am focused on bringing your cases to resolution by settlement or trial - that is our mission in 2023.
Much good has already been done, as we charge forward on mission to rebuild your neighborhood, one home at a time.
Best, Rob Kwok - rkwok@kwoklaw.com
Dear Clients,
Thank you for your continued patience with the allocation process. Each day brings us one step closer to getting your award! On March 10, 2023, we returned to Court to argue why the sensor company should not get out scott free. Indeed, they were the last to service the gas sensors at Watson, but the sensors were found not to be working at the time of this explosion. Our law and motions team filed with the Court a 50 page response with 7 binders of exhibits. After an hour plus of arguments, the Court ruled in our favor, keeping the sensor company in the case. This means once the allocation is finished, we resume litigation against the sensor company. Our case against them will end in either a jury trial or a settlement.
Our March 20, 2023 our claim form submission deadline was extended until April 3, 2023. There are so many details for each case, we were grateful for the extension. Our office team has been working around the clock combing through your documents and submitting your property damage and injury claim forms. We have already submitted over 1,250 claim forms and have about 150 left to review before final submission.
We will submit all claims by the April 3, 2023, deadline. Then, the independent claims processors, Brown Greer ("BG") will review each claim for accuracy and truthfulness, and assign an award. Each award is then subject to a reconsideration process and appeals process before going to you for final approval or opt out.
By May we expect to start getting allocation awards for you to review and approve. Look for increased communication from our team starting in May 2023. Our team will meet with each of you individually to discuss your award. If everyone accepts, we could see funding start as early as May/June 2023!
Speaking of funding, on January 20, 2023, I argued for the creation of the qualified settlement fund (QSF) to the Judge. After our Court hearing, the Judge granted our request and ordered creation QSF. I'm pleased to report the QSF was opened at Amegy Bank in mid-February 2023, and the Watson insurance carriers have paid their full policy limits into the fund.
Thank you for your continued patience. I know 3.5 years is a long time to wait, especially for many without their home. Remember, most mass torts of this size take an average of 7 years to see funding. Our case has taken 3.5 years, and that's with the Watson bankruptcy delay and Covid. Our team has worked around the clock for 3.5 years to help drive the pending settlement, and will continue to work hard to get you an additonal recovery from the sensor company.
Thank you for cooperating with our office team led by Attorney Ranny Sawaf to complete over 1,400 individual fact sheets and claim submission forms. Our office team has done an incredible job organizing your massive amounts of individual data and evidence.
So to summarize: April 3, 2023 is the final deadline for everyone's submissions, and then the claims review process will begin! Each document and medical provider will be fact checked for accuracy and truthfulness by an independent company, Brown Greer ("BG"). In May, BG will use the submitted claim forms to develop a census and assign allocation awards. If we get 100% approval of the awards, funding will begin in the summer.
We will keep you posted on any new developments real-time, and as always call or email us with any further questions!
Best, Rob Kwok
As always, find real-time updates here at www.watsongrindingexplosion.com
Lawsuit filed - 3 TROs Granted
Rob Kwok has already filed and won 3 TRO's in this case.
See Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) - here
See Houston Chronicle Article - here
See ABC news - here
See Fox 26 news story - here
See KPRC Ch2 news story - here
See ABC Watson/Kwok news story - here
See AP news story - here
See KPRC Ch2 walk through news story - here
See KPRC Ch2 TRO vs. City of Houston news story - here
See 1st TRO vs. City - here
See 2nd TRO vs. City - here
See Houston Chronicle Article - here
See Agreed 5-8-20 Lift Stay Order - here
See 06.21.20 Houston Chronicle Article - here
See 07.03.20 Houston Chronicle Article - here
See 12.30.20 Houston Chronicle Article - here
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