The family of Alex Chronis, 76, will be compensated for fatal injuries caused by extremely hot water in a hotel shower, in a case judged as death by negligence. The elderly man, a food vendor, suffered severe burns while showering at the Econo Lodge in Erlanger, Kentucky, in November 2021.
The shower water was over 150 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that can cause third-degree burns in seconds. Chronis fainted due to the scalding water, but was rescued by co-workers who heard his screams.
Despite the severe burns, Alex tried to treat the injuries with over-the-counter medication and continued to work, including attending a local festival. He visited the emergency room for treatment, but left against medical advice to return to work.
Two days later, he returned to the hospital and remained hospitalized for almost five months, undergoing surgical grafts and treatment for other problems.
In April 2022, Chronis was transferred to a rehab facility in Knoxville, his hometown, but his condition did not improve. He returned to the hospital in June of that year, where he passed away due to complications from the burns.
The victim’s family has filed a lawsuit against the hotel’s owner, Sanjay Patel, alleging negligence in maintaining the safety conditions of the establishment’s room.
Jury conclusion
The jury concluded that Patel “failed to exercise the necessary care” to ensure the safety of guests. The judgment, recorded on July 3, awarded Chronis’ family a total of $2 million in damages, covering medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral costs and punitive damages.
Jeff Blankenship, an attorney for the family, pointed out that Chronis’ death was the result of preventable complications from the severe burns, caused by the hotel’s negligence in implementing safety procedures. The verdict is subject to appeal.
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