A MAJOR retailer is forced to shell out millions to a heroic repairman who rushed to save customers after an explosion.

An HVAC technician was awarded more than $75 million in damages after he suffered severe injuries and lost most of his fingers in a chemical explosion at a Kroger in Detroit, Michigan.

When a defective refrigerant exploded at the store in February 2022, Brian Mierendorf attempted to save nearby customers by stopping the refrigerant, causing him to get injured, said his attorney, Jon Marko.

The explosion released a toxic chemical called R-22, a type of refrigerant that can be used in residential air conditioners, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency had begun phasing the chemical out in 2010 before banning its production and import in 2020, reported manufacturing company Trane.

However, Mierendorf’s hands were injected with the toxic chemical, according to a news release from his lawyer.

Since 2022, Mierendorf has had 25 surgeries to try and save his hands.

He and his wife, Heather, were awarded by an Oakland County jury on June 17 in what Marko called a “record-breaking verdict” against Kroger.

The couple was awarded both economic and non-economic losses from the time of the incident and through several years, according to the verdict form.

“Kroger had a ticking time bomb in its store at Bloomfield Township, waiting to blow,” said Marko in the release.

“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.

“At trial, Kroger’s defense was to blame Brian for his heroic actions. 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.”

According to Marko, the jury’s award is believed to be the largest premises liability verdict in the state.

TERRIFYING EXPLOSION

The incident happened on February 1, 2022, when Mierendorf was told to come to Kroger to work on the refrigeration lines, according to a complaint filed on Mierendorf’s behalf in February 2024.

While working, a refrigeration line began spraying liquid refrigerant into the store, read the complaint.

Mierendorf tried to stop the spraying, but there wasn’t a shutoff valve nearby.

Meanwhile the pressure was too high, and the refrigerant was pouring out at a high volume.

His left hand froze to the refrigeration line while trying to cap it, according to the complaint.

Mierendorf tried to break free from the line, but couldn’t.

“The refrigerant was pouring out at such a rate that Plaintiff could barely breath(e) as he attempted to break his hand free from the pipe,” read the complaint.

“Ultimately, Plaintiff was able to break free from the pipe but sustained serious and grievous injuries.”

As a result, Mierendorf suffered severe chemical burns and the amputation and partial amputation of multiple fingers.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Kroger for comment.