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A family is suing a California hotel after alleging that their relative died at the property from severe scalding burns caused by overheated shower water. Terril Wade Johnson, Sr., 72, took a shower at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport while staying with family in May, but he “never came out alive,” the lawsuit filed on October 15 states. Newsweek reached out to Marriott and the plaintiffs’ attorneys for comment. The Context Johnson’s family found him unresponsive, “partially submerged in water so dangerously hot that they could not touch him without burning themselves,” the lawsuit states. “As they struggled desperately to save him, they were forced to watch in horror as his skin peeled away from his body. Emergency responders could only pronounce him dead,” attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Johnson suffered severe scalding burns on approximately 33.5 percent of his body, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs are alleging wrongful death on the premises of liability and negligence. The family also alleges emotional distress. Main: A Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott hotel in Washington, D.C. Inset: Terril Wade Johnson, Sr. with family. (Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via AP Images and Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara) What To Know The plaintiffs allege that the hotel, Marriott and several co-defendants “allowed a lethal condition of unregulated and dangerously overheated water to persist in guest bathrooms in violation of industry standards, California safety codes, and their fundamental duty to safeguard hotel guests.” Johnson, a Vietnam War veteran, worked as a senior lead technician with the Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority until his retirement in 2024. “Terril was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, remembered for his faith, work ethic, mentorship, and commitment to family and community,” the lawsuit states. He was staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites San Jose Airport to celebrate his granddaughter’s graduation from San Jose State University. The lawsuit alleges that the shower water reached 134-136 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the 120-degree maximum permitted by law. “Exposure to water at such temperatures is known to cause third-degree burns within seconds,” attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote. What People Are Saying Rahul Ravipudi, Paul Traina and John Shaller, attorneys for plaintiffs, in a complaint: “The condition of the hotel’s water heating system constituted a dangerous and defective condition that Defendants knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known, posed a lethal hazard. Defendants failed to properly inspect, regulate, and maintain the hot water system, in violation of California safety standards, health and safety codes, and industry practices, and in breach of their heightened duty as innkeepers to exercise reasonable care and vigilance for the safety of their guests.” Terril Johnson II, Terril Wade Johnson, Sr.’s son, told The Mercury News: “He was just a fun-loving person. He enjoyed life.” What Happens Next The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial on all causes of action. They are seeking general and specific damages; relief for loss of financial support, household services and other benefits; prejudgment interest; costs of the lawsuit; and any other relief the court may deem “just and proper.” Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
