A jury has awarded Brian Mierendorf, a skilled HVAC technician, an astounding $75.6 million after a catastrophic refrigerant explosion at a Kroger grocery store in 2020 left him with severe injuries, including the loss of most of his fingers.
The incident occurred while Mierendorf, 37, was servicing a defective refrigeration system at a Kroger store in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. The system malfunctioned, releasing R22 refrigerant, a toxic chemical whose use has been banned by the EPA. According to published reports, the chemical exploded into Mierendorf’s hands as he bravely attempted to protect unsuspecting customers from the leak.
“Kroger had a ticking time bomb in its store at Bloomfield Township, waiting to blow,” stated Jon Marko, Mierendorf’s attorney at Marko Law. “Unfortunately, it blew up on Brian and he lost his hands trying to save other people in the store from toxic chemicals being sprayed out in the middle of the day in front of the meat department.” Mierendorf endured 25 surgeries following the explosion, which ultimately resulted in the amputation of most of his fingers.
A Verdict for Heroism and Accountability. The jury’s record-breaking verdict, delivered on June 16, 2025, sends a powerful message to Kroger. Advocates for Mierendorf successfully demonstrated that Kroger failed to properly maintain their refrigeration system and, astonishingly, did not provide crucial documentation of maintenance, repairs, or inspection records. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the company allegedly waited two years to complete an incident report after the explosion.
Kroger’s defense attempted to “blame Brian for his heroic actions,” Marko revealed. “The verdict sends a clear message to Kroger that Brian’s actions should be commended, and that Brian literally gave up his hands in the line of duty at the expense of himself and his family is priceless.” The jury recognized Kroger’s negligent and reckless behavior in failing to maintain their equipment, justly compensating Mr. Mierendorf for their egregious actions. This case highlights the critical importance of proper safety protocols and equipment maintenance, especially when dealing with hazardous materials.
We represent people injured as a result of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. Insurance companies have paid our clients hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation because we uncover the facts. When insurance companies fail to offer full compensation, we are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com
