$4,500,000 SETTLEMENT FOR ELECTRICIAN IN COMPRESSOR EXPLOSION

While Mike was troubleshooting a commercial air conditioning unit, the compressor—made in 1954—overheated. The lubricating oil pressurized and exploded out through an electrical terminal, where a spark ignited the oil as it sprayed onto Mike. Even though Mike’s employer had thrown out the compressor, Martin Brigham, lead trial counsel, was able to use photographs to identify the manufacturer, which led to the discovery that this style of compressor had caused many similar accidents. Mike’s case settled for $4.5 million.