Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned immediately following an investigation into his personal conduct. This development comes shortly after an Oakland County jury awarded HVAC technician Brian Mierendorf over $75 million in a lawsuit against Kroger for severe injuries he sustained due to a refrigerant explosion in a store.
Mierendorf was called to perform maintenance on refrigeration lines at a Bloomfield Township Kroger store in February 2022 when a refrigeration line malfunctioned, releasing toxic R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out by the EPA. While attempting to prevent further damage and protect nearby customers, Mierendorf’s hand became frozen to the pressurized line, causing him to sustain significant injuries, including multiple finger amputations. His legal counsel, Jon Marko, described the verdict as a “record-breaking” outcome in Michigan for premises liability.
Marko criticized Kroger for its negligence, stating the company had not properly inspected or maintained their refrigeration lines, nor trained staff adequately for such emergencies. The jury’s decision, which accounted for both immediate and future economic and non-economic losses for Mierendorf and his wife, aimed to send a message about the gravity of the incident and Mierendorf’s sacrifices.
Kroger has not yet commented publicly on the verdict or the resignation of McMullen. The lawsuit highlighted systemic issues within Kroger’s maintenance practices, emphasizing the company’s failure to document crucial maintenance records as required by law.
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