Tenn. Man's Estate Awarded $2M Over Scalding Hotel Shower That Led to His Death Months Later

A Tennessee man's estate has been awarded more than $2 million after a scalding shower in a Kentucky hotel led to his death months later.

Alex Chronis, 76, was staying at the Econo Lodge on Donaldson Road in Erlanger on Nov. 19, 2021 when he went to take a shower and was "almost immediately bombarded with scalding hot water," according to a lawsuit filed by his family and viewed by PEOPLE.

Upon hearing him fall and scream, two associates he was traveling with "rushed into the bathroom" and came to his aid.

In the immediate aftermath, Chronis, a food vendor who had traveled to the area for work, attempted to use nonprescription medicine for the burns, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. He then visited a local hospital, but left against medical advice so he could continue working.

However, two days later, Chronis reportedly was back at the hospital, where he remained for nearly five months straight, per the outlet. In addition to having surgery to address his wounds, Chronis was also treated for what the Sentinel described as “unspecified medical issues," which allegedly developed while he was in the hospital.

Overall, Chronis "spent months in hospitals, underwent numerous medical procedures, and endured substantial conscious pain and suffering before succumbing to his injuries and died on June 19, 2022," per the lawsuit.

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Four months after Chronis’ death, his niece sued Aspyn, LLC, which operates the Econo Lodge, and Sanjay Patel, listed on the lawsuit as a member/manager of Aspyn, for damages, pain and suffering and lost wages. (According to the Kentucky Secretary of State, Patel is the owner of the hotel, per CBS affiliate WKRC-TV and the Sentinel.)

The lawsuit accused the defendants of egregious conduct and claimed they “acted with reckless disregard for the safety” for hotel guests.

The case went to trial in late June. On July 3, a Kenton Circuit Court jury found both Aspyn, LLC and Patel failed to exercise ordinary care in inspecting and maintaining” the hotel rooms at the Econo Lodge, according to the Sentinel and ABC affiliate WATE.

Chronis’ estate was awarded more than $2 million, including over $1.2 million in medical expenses, $500,000 in punitive damages, $250,000 for Chronis’ pain and suffering and about $16,000 for funeral expenses, WATE reported. The verdict is subject to appeal.

Attorneys for both parties did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

When reached by the Sentinel, Chronis' family had no comment.

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