Kroger

Heroic Technician Wins $75 Million After Life-Altering Injury in Kroger Refrigerant Explosion

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — A jury has awarded $75 million in damages to a Michigan HVAC technician who incurred significant injuries while responding to a refrigerant leak at a Kroger store in 2022. Brian Mierendorf, who lost several fingers in the incident, underwent 25 surgeries as a result of a chemical explosion that took place in the Bloomfield Hills store. The incident occurred on February 1, 2022, when Mierendorf arrived to perform maintenance on a refrigeration system. While working, he encountered a leak from an R-22 refrigerant line, a substance that is both toxic and … Read more

Michigan Jury Delivers Over $75 Million Verdict for HVAC Technician Severely Injured in Kroger Refrigerant Explosion

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DETROIT — A jury in Michigan has awarded over $75 million to an HVAC technician who was severely injured by a refrigerant explosion at a Kroger store. The incident occurred in February 2022 when Brian Mierendorf responded to a maintenance call regarding refrigeration lines, resulting in devastating injuries to his hands that have since required numerous surgeries. Mierendorf’s attorney, Jon Marko, revealed the jury’s decision on June 17, describing it as a landmark verdict in premises liability cases in Michigan. The jury considered both economic and non-economic damages for Mierendorf and his wife, Heather, related … Read more

Heroic Pipefitter Awarded $77 Million After Life-Altering Incident at Kroger Explosion

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OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. — A jury in Oakland County awarded Brian Mierendorf nearly $77 million after he suffered life-altering injuries from a refrigerant explosion at a Kroger store in Bloomfield Township. The verdict, announced by attorney Jon Marko of Marko Law, marks one of the largest awards in the state for such a case. Mierendorf, a 37-year-old journeyman pipefitter and HVAC technician, sustained severe chemical burns and injection injuries to his hands while attempting to mitigate the hazardous situation. The incident occurred when a defective refrigerant system leaked toxic R22 refrigerant, which is banned by … Read more

Jury Awards $75 Million to Heroic Worker Who Lost Hands in Kroger Refrigerant Explosion

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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Oakland County jury has awarded more than $75 million to a local man who lost most of his hands due to a refrigerant explosion at a Kroger store. This case marks what attorneys claim to be a record liability verdict in Michigan. Brian Mierendorf, a 37-year-old pipefitter and HVAC technician, sustained life-altering injuries during a work-related incident at the store. While attempting to contain a leak from a defective refrigeration system, he was exposed to R22 refrigerant, a chemical prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency. As he defended customers from … Read more