Overview
- The wrongful-death suit was filed Oct. 15 in Santa Clara County Superior Court, seeking a jury trial and damages for negligence and emotional distress.
- The Santa Clara County medical examiner determined the cause of death was severe scalding with burns on more than one-third of the victim's body.
- Court filings describe family members finding Terril Johnson unresponsive and partially submerged in water too hot to touch, with unsuccessful CPR attempts.
- Defendants include the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites San Jose Airport and, per one filing, Hanford Hotels as owner-operator; Marriott did not immediately comment.
- The suit cites code violations and alleges shower temperatures of 134–136°F, noting third-degree burns can occur within seconds at those levels.