A Kentucky motel has been ordered to pay $2 million to the family of Alex Chronis, a 76-year-old guest who tragically died after being scalded by excessively hot water in the shower. The incident occurred on November 18, 2021, at the Econo Lodge in Erlanger, Kentucky. Chronis was immediately bombarded with 150-degree Fahrenheit water, which caused severe second-and third-degree burns. He was knocked to the floor, where the scalding water continued to burn him until two associates pulled him from the tub.
Chronis endured months of medical treatment, including multiple skin grafts, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on June 19, 2022. The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Chronis’ niece, alleged that the motel failed to maintain safe facilities. Photos presented in court showed the extensive damage to Chronis’ skin, bolstering the family’s claim of negligence.
The jury awarded Chronis’ estate over $1.27 million for medical expenses, $16,058 for funeral costs, $250,000 for pain and suffering, and $500,000 in punitive damages. The court concluded that the motel’s owner, Sanjay Patel, failed to ensure the safety of the hotel rooms for guests. Despite the defense’s argument that Chronis did not stay at the motel, the claim was dismissed, and the verdict was upheld.
This case underscores the critical importance of proper maintenance and safety standards in hospitality establishments to prevent such tragic incidents. The Econo Lodge’s failure to regulate water temperature and ensure guest safety has resulted in severe consequences, both for the victim’s family and the establishment itself.
