A Tennessee family has been awarded $2 million in a wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic death of a 76-year-old man who suffered fatal injuries from excessively hot shower water at a hotel. Alex Chronis, a food vendor, was severely burned by water exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit during a shower at the Econo Lodge in Erlanger, Kentucky, while on a work trip in November 2021.
The scalding water, capable of causing third-degree burns within seconds, led to Chronis collapsing in the shower. He was rescued by two co-workers who heard his cries for help. Despite the severity of his burns, Chronis initially treated his injuries with over-the-counter medication and continued to work at a local festival.
Chronis eventually sought medical attention at an emergency room but left prematurely against medical advice to return to work. However, within two days, he was back at the hospital, where he remained for nearly five months. During this time, he underwent surgical grafting for his burn wounds and received treatment for other complications that arose during his hospital stay.
In April 2022, Chronis was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in his hometown of Knoxville, but his condition did not improve. He was readmitted to the hospital in June, where he later passed away. Following his death, Chronis’ family filed a lawsuit against the hotel owner, Sanjay Patel.
The lawsuit alleged that Patel had failed to maintain the hotel room in a reasonably safe condition for guests. A Tennessee jury agreed, awarding Chronis’ estate $1.3 million for medical expenses, $250,000 for pain and suffering, $16,000 for funeral costs, and $500,000 in punitive damages in a judgment filed on July 3.
Jeff Blankenship, the family’s attorney, stated that the family believes the jury recognized the defendant’s wrongful conduct and the severe injuries Chronis suffered as a result. He added that Chronis’ death was due to complications from the scalding wounds, which could have been prevented if the hotel management had implemented proper safety procedures. The verdict is currently subject to appeal, as per court documents.