One of America’s biggest supermarket chains, Kroger, has been ordered to pay a massive $75 million after a repair worker lost several fingers while trying to stop a major accident in one of its stores.
The incident happened when the technician – who had been called to fix a broken refrigeration unit – noticed something was seriously wrong. He smelled gas and saw the pressure rising fast. Realising the risk, he acted quickly to shut it down before something exploded. His brave actions likely saved many shoppers from injury or worse.
But the cost was high. In the process, the worker’s hand got caught, leading to the loss of multiple fingers.
A court found Kroger responsible for the accident. It was revealed that the store had been warned several times about the faulty equipment but didn’t fix it. Jurors decided the company had put profits before safety.
The $75 million payout is one of the biggest ever seen for a personal injury in a retail store. It includes money for the worker’s pain, medical bills, lost income, and extra damages to punish Kroger for its negligence.
“He was a hero,” said one witness. “He didn’t think about himself – he thought about the people in the store.”
Legal experts say this case could push big retailers to take safety more seriously. Many believe supermarkets need to invest more in regular checks and maintenance to protect both workers and shoppers.
So far, Kroger hasn’t made a full public apology but said they will review their safety procedures.
This case sends a clear message: ignoring safety comes at a heavy price.