News Summary
The family of Steven Sotero has filed a lawsuit against Real Water and its shareholders following his death from liver disease linked to contaminated drinking water. The complaint highlights the product’s alleged false marketing and the presence of hydrazine, a toxic chemical. Multiple deaths and health complications have been reported related to Real Water, which has ceased operations amid ongoing legal issues, including significant jury awards for damages. The lawsuit aims to hold Real Water accountable for the tragedies faced by consumers.
Las Vegas, NV – The family of Steven Sotero, a retiree who died from complications associated with contaminated drinking water, has filed a lawsuit against Real Water and its primary shareholder, Affinitylifestyles.com Inc. The lawsuit follows Sotero’s hospitalization on May 30, 2024, where he was diagnosed with late-stage liver disease and later succumbed to the illness just three weeks later.
The Soteros’ legal action claims that Real Water falsely marketed its product as “the healthiest drinking water available,” while it allegedly contained high levels of hydrazine, a toxic chemical primarily used in rocket fuel. This accusation is part of a wider narrative involving multiple liver failure cases linked to the consumption of Real Water, underscoring significant public health concerns.
In addition to suing Real Water, the Soteros family is also holding accountable several grocery stores, gas stations, and other distributors for selling the contaminated product. This case represents at least the fourth documented death linked to Real Water, further raising alarms about the safety of the company’s products.
Previous victims include Kathleen Ryerson, who died on November 11, 2020, from complications related to pneumonia and liver failure, and Shawn Lampman, who passed away on February 13, 2024, while litigation against Real Water was still underway. Notably, Milo Hurst, a 71-year-old restaurateur from Boulder City, died in November 2024 after suffering severe liver injuries, prompting his family to also file a lawsuit against Real Water.
Reports have indicated that a number of affected individuals, including babies and children, were transported for potential liver transplants following their consumption of Real Water, adding an alarming dimension to the situation. This broader health crisis underscores the severity of the situation and has led to a significant number of lawsuits and legal actions.
Real Water’s legal troubles extend beyond the Soteros family, as a series of lawsuits have resulted in juries delivering verdicts totaling multibillion-dollar damages. In June 2024, a jury awarded $3 billion in damages, followed by a $5 billion judgment in October 2024. These figures illustrate the growing accountability facing the company in light of consumer harm.
As a direct consequence of these numerous health complaints and legal actions, Real Water has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product has been cited in numerous health complaints linked to a variety of serious conditions, including liver illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and other severe personal injuries.
The lawsuit filed by the Soteros family specifically points out flaws in Real Water’s manufacturing process, as well as failures in ingredient testing which allegedly produced unsafe drinking water. The complaint highlights the catastrophic injuries and tragic outcomes experienced by Real Water users, with Steven Sotero himself being frequently documented in the lawsuit carrying liter bottles of the product.
With this lawsuit, the Soteros family seeks both compensatory and punitive damages against Real Water and its associates. This legal struggle not only aims to secure justice for Steven Sotero but also serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of consumer safety and accountability in the food and beverage industry.
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Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Review-Journal
- Wikipedia: Real Water
- 8 News Now
- Google Search: Real Water lawsuit news
- Newsweek
- Google Scholar: Real Water lawsuit
- Fox5 Vegas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Real Water
- KTNV
- Google News: Real Water
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