Las Vegas, NV (March 24th, 2025) – Last week, another jury ruled against Real Water, ordering the company liable for consumer injuries in a substantial verdict.
The legal battles surrounding Real Water, Inc. have resulted in unprecedented financial penalties. The company, once a popular choice for alkaline water consumers, is now best known for distributing contaminated bottled water that caused severe health issues, including liver failure.
The Deadly Effects of Real Water Contamination
Consumers who drank Real Water unknowingly exposed themselves to hazardous chemicals. The contamination led to a range of serious health conditions, including liver damage, organ failure, and in some cases, death. Medical professionals have confirmed that the tainted water contained toxic substances that directly contributed to these life-threatening conditions.
Toxic Chemical Exposure and Liver Failure
Medical investigations confirmed that Real Water products contained hydrazine, a highly toxic chemical linked to liver damage. Victims experienced sudden-onset liver failure, extreme fatigue, nausea, and, in some cases, required organ transplants.
One of the most severe cases involved a 71-year-old man from Boulder City, Nevada, who died in November 2024 due to severe liver damage allegedly caused by Real Water consumption. His estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit, bringing more attention to the serious health effects of the contaminated water.
Jury Awards Billions in Damages
The lawsuits against Real Water have led to some of the largest product liability verdicts in U.S. history. Juries have consistently ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding billions in damages to those who have suffered irreversible harm. The repeated legal losses have left Real Water bankrupt, while also serving as a stark warning to other beverage manufacturers about the consequences of neglecting consumer safety.
June 2024: $3 Billion Awarded to Victims
In June 2024, a Las Vegas jury awarded $3 billion on punitive damages who suffered liver failure. The ruling sent a strong message about corporate accountability and consumer safety.
October 2024: $5.2 Billion Verdict Shocks Industry
Just months later, another jury in Las Vegas delivered a $5.2 billion verdict after a 12-day trial. The jury found that Real Water displayed reckless disregard for consumer safety. The verdict included $230 million in compensatory damages and $5 billion in punitive damages, making it one of the largest product liability awards in U.S. history.
March 2025: $3.8 Billion Verdict Seals Real Water’s Fate
Most recently, in March 2025, a jury found Real Water liable for product defects and consumer harm. It awarded plaintiffs in the lawsuit $3.8 billion in damages, further solidifying the company’s financial and reputational downfall.
Understanding Punitive Damages in Personal Injury Cases
Punitive damages, unlike compensatory damages, are not awarded to reimburse victims for medical expenses or lost wages. Instead, they are designed to punish the defendant for egregious misconduct, and to deter similar actions in the future. In personal injury cases, punitive damages are typically awarded when a company or individual has shown gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm.
Why Punitive Damages Were Awarded in the Real Water Case
In the lawsuits against Real Water, the courts found substantial evidence that the company ignored safety concerns and continued to sell contaminated bottled water, putting profits over consumer safety. Such reckless disregard for public health justified the multi-billion-dollar punitive damages awarded to victims.
Key factors leading to these large punitive awards include:
- Failure to act, despite known health risks – Evidence showed Real Water executives were aware of consumer complaints and U.S. Food and Drug Administration warnings, yet did nothing to remove the product from shelves.
- Severe harm to consumers – Victims experienced organ failure, permanent disability, and wrongful deaths.
- Lack of corrective measures – The company failed to implement proper testing or recall procedures, allowing the contamination to continue for months.
How Do Punitive Damages Impact Corporate Accountability?
Massive punitive damage awards, like those in the Real Water case, serve as a deterrent for other companies in the food and beverage industry. Businesses are now under increased pressure to comply with safety regulations, conduct thorough product testing, and respond promptly to consumer complaints to avoid similar financial penalties.
Protecting Las Vegas Consumers and Holding Companies Accountable
Those who suffered illness due to drinking Real Water, and their families, have sought justice through the courts, and the resulting jury verdicts have set new records in product liability cases. These rulings not only penalize Real Water, Inc., but also send a clear message to companies about the importance of consumer safety.If you or a loved one has been affected by a dangerous or defective product, seeking legal counsel may help you understand your rights and options for compensation. For 40 years, our dedicated personal injury lawyer at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices has helped those injured through the actions or inactions of others to hold the at-fault parties accountable. Contact our law offices today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case at 702-388-2005.
