A jury has delivered a significant verdict against Real Water, awarding more than $3 billion in a civil trial linked to a Southern Nevada liver failure outbreak and at least one death. This is the third multibillion-dollar verdict against the company, following previous awards of $5 billion in October and $3 billion in June.
Real Water, produced by Affinitylifestyles.com of Las Vegas, was marketed as “the healthiest drinking water available” despite containing a toxic chemical found in rocket fuel. The company was found liable for the injuries of 13 plaintiffs, with the jury tasked with deciding the compensation amount rather than the cause of injuries.
The jury awarded over $70 million in compensatory and future damages after three weeks of testimony. They quickly agreed on substantial punitive damages, matching the amount requested by attorney Robert Eglet, who emphasized the need for accountability to prevent future incidents.
Defense attorney Bradley Johnson noted that none of the plaintiffs died or required liver transplants, although severe health impacts were reported. Plaintiff Lisa King, for instance, suffered severe liver damage and other health conditions, with her compensatory damages totaling $54 million.
Real Water’s product was linked to multiple liver failures, hospitalizations, and other severe health issues, including a miscarriage and emergency surgeries. The FDA identified 21 hospitalizations and one death related to the water.
The company has filed for bankruptcy, complicating the collection of the awarded damages. Plaintiffs’ attorneys indicated that Real Water’s insurers would be pursued for payment, despite expected resistance. The punitive award is expected to be reduced to $1.4 billion, with the total compensatory damages potentially reaching $140 million after attorneys’ fees are included. The settlement offer before the trial was approximately $7 million.
Jurors aimed to deliver a verdict that was both fair and a deterrent against future negligence, underscoring the importance of corporate responsibility for public health and safety.