A hotel in Northern Kentucky has been ordered to pay $2 million to the estate of a Knoxville man who died months after getting severely scalded in the hotel’s shower, according to a recent lawsuit.
Alex Chronis’ Fatal Encounter with a Scalding Shower
Alex Chronis, a 76-year-old food vendor, fell victim to a scorching shower at the Erlanger-based Econo Lodge. The water temperature reportedly exceeded 150 degrees, a heat level that can inflict third-degree burns in a matter of seconds.
Chronis collapsed in the shower but was rescued by two of his coworkers who were sharing the room. Despite enduring such injuries, Chronis attended a festival the same day where he was operating a food stall, applied non-prescription medicine on his burns, and it was only later that he sought medical help.
Persistent Issues and Health Decline
The elderly vendor was advised to stay in the emergency room at Miami Valley Hospital. However, against medical advice, he left to continue working. The severity of his condition became more pronounced in the following days, leading to his admission in the hospital for nearly five months.
During this time, Chronis underwent surgical grafting for the burn wounds. Despite the stabilization of his condition in April, allowing for his transfer to a rehabilitation facility in Knoxville, his health didn’t improve. In June, he was taken to a hospital where he ultimately died.
Legal Aftermath
The Kenton County jury found the hotel owner, Sanjay Patel, legally responsible for failing to ensure adequate health and safety standards for the guests.
On several charges got approved against the hotel, including $1.3 million for medical expenses, $250,000 for pain and suffering, $16,000 for funeral costs, and $500,000 toward punitive damages.
No Comments from Involved Parties
The Chronis family refrained from commenting on the verdict. Sanjay Patel was also not available for comments. His lawyer too did not respond to calls seeking comment.
The judgment has been filed and is still subject to appeal.
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
