$77 Million Verdict Awarded to Pipefitter After Kroger Refrigerant Explosion
OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. – An Oakland County jury has awarded Brian Mierendorf, a 37-year-old pipefitter and HVAC technician, nearly $77 million following a devastating refrigerant explosion at a Kroger supermarket in Bloomfield Township in 2022. The incident left Mierendorf with severe injuries, resulting in the loss of most of his hands.
Mierendorf’s attorney, Jon Marko, expressed mixed feelings regarding the verdict, stating, "It’s bittersweet…but nothing’s gonna bring Brian’s hands back." Over the past three years, Mierendorf has undergone 25 surgeries as doctors attempted to save his hands, which were ultimately amputated in front of his family.
The explosion occurred due to a malfunctioning refrigeration system that released R-22, a toxic chemical banned by the EPA in 2020. Mierendorf sustained severe chemical burns and other injuries while trying to protect customers from the hazardous leak. Investigations revealed that Kroger failed to conduct proper inspections of the faulty system, which had been a “ticking time bomb,” according to Marko.
The jury’s judgment of $76.7 million is one of the largest in Michigan’s history and the highest non-medical judgment, as per Marko. Despite the substantial compensation, he emphasized the long-term impact on Mierendorf’s life, stating, “He’s going to be doing it for the next 45 years until he leaves this Earth.”
Local 4 reached out to Kroger for a comment regarding the case but has yet to receive a response. As Mierendorf continues to rebuild his life, the verdict serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of negligence in workplace safety.
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