Las Vegas-Based Company Found Liable for Harmful Ingredients in Alkaline Water
In a major verdict against a bottled water company, a Nevada jury awarded $5.2 billion to several plaintiffs who claimed they suffered liver damage after drinking Real Water, a product of Las Vegas-based AffinityLifestyles.com Inc. The lawsuit, which concluded with the verdict on Wednesday, was the latest of several similar cases against the company, which has faced multiple complaints for negligence and product liability.
$5 Billion in Punitive Damages Amid Evidence of Chemical Contamination
After a 12-day trial, the Clark County jury granted about $230 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $5 billion in punitive damages. The case involved lead plaintiff Hunter Brown and other customers who alleged that Real Water’s toxic chemical contamination led to serious health complications.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Will Kemp said he expects Real Water’s insurance provider to contest the payout, as the company filed for bankruptcy after the water was pulled from shelves in 2021. Real Water was marketed as “alkalized” water with health-enhancing properties but reportedly contained hydrazine, a chemical used in rocket fuel. The presence of hydrazine, likely introduced during water treatment, has been linked to severe liver damage.
Previous Lawsuits and Repeated Billion-Dollar Verdicts
Real Water has been the subject of multiple lawsuits since its recall in 2021, with juries delivering substantial verdicts against the company. In addition to Wednesday’s award, previous verdicts include a $3.1 billion award in June, $130 million in February, and $228 million in October 2023. Kemp represents additional plaintiffs with similar claims in pending lawsuits.
Real Water’s Background and Market Reach
Real Water was sold throughout the Southwestern U.S., with distinctive blue boxy packaging that promised “detoxifying” properties. Its distribution spanned retail locations in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Los Angeles area. Large bottled shipments were also delivered to homes before the recall.
Company and Defense Response
The company’s owner, Brent Jones, who served as a Republican Nevada state Assembly member from 2016 to 2018, and other company representatives declined to comment. Defense attorneys argued that AffinityLifestyles.com Inc. was unaware of the presence of hydrazine in the water and therefore did not test for it, casting the issue as negligence rather than recklessness.
Real Water remains the subject of ongoing litigation as plaintiffs seek compensation for alleged harm caused by what was marketed as a premium, health-conscious product.
