Country club sauna accident leads to family’s nightmare, lawsuit

The family of a man who was severely disabled in a Waialae Country Club sauna is demanding the club accept responsibility for his injuries.
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[@jnak974]

It’s a country club, not a senior care center. If she knew he had health issues, she should have notified the club. Now a bunch of people who aren’t involved are going to lose their job because a bunch of already rich people are sueing.

[@randomnonymous]

Who's going to lose their job?

[@davidlafleche1142]

"Daddy's dying, who's got the will?"

[@jenniferfitzgerald1796]

He looked so old and frail before. Why did she let him go off on his own in a sauna?? 2 hours she didn’t think to go look for him? Saunas are dangerous. Is the hotel supposed to have someone stand at the sauna 24/7?

[@jo-anni.benson2806]

Yes.

[@randomnonymous]

You answered your own question by saying saunas are dangerous and then asking if they are supposed to have an attendant there to keep an eye or do checks on customers that are in the sauna for too long.

[@Nicko-c1m]

Because he is responsible for himself. He didn't think he responsible for her.

[@jamesgibson3242]

@@randomnonymous No gym sauna I have been to has an attendant in the sauna.

[@randomnonymous]

@@jamesgibson3242 Not in the sauna. Outside.

[@ClaudiaGutierrez-um7ub]

Hmm sounds fishy. You left a frail old man go to a sauna by himself and after 3 hours send someone to look for him? Nah

[@katjay3125]

Life insurance

[@satoruchibana]

I don't want to be mean, but 80 years old and in the sauna alone, there's got to be some self-accountability too.

[@pummell14]

no 80 year old should be in the sauna alone period. If he got better and then regressed to being bedridden then that's just him being old and frail. My father could still walk at age 80. My father was on a wheelchair at age 82 and couldn't walk on his own anymore. At age 84 he had passed away.

[@sirij8784]

this is what happens when you go to an exclusive country club. If anybody has gone to waialae country club recently there is nobody there. Its just a few old people. I bet that sauna room hardly gets used

[@audreyshmaudrey]

That right there, almost verbatim, is what i was going to say. There needs to be accountability all the way around sadly.😢

[@annmcevoy9299]

People should not be in saunas alone, clubs are going to have to have checks several times an hour. I'm so sorry this happened. The elderly should be extra careful 😢

[@jeannineterese1037]

The sauna had no timer or attendant. Stop blaming the victim!

[@melchorasoy4611]

You are supposed to stay in the sauna room for 15 minutes only because it affects your respiratory rate

[@randomnonymous]

The sauna should have an auto shut off after a period of time for safety.

[@fritz_von_steiner5544]

As long as you are awake! But what if someone falls asleep or has a medical issue?

[@fritz_von_steiner5544]

@@randomnonymous Why? You do not go to saunas, are you? So, there are already a few people in the sauna... at minutes start... after 10 minutes other people come in... and 5 minutes later the sauna shuts off? Only because someone could have fallen asleep? That's ridiculous!

[@therose5783]

Why was this the fault of the country club?

[@kineticfractal6804]

Present day absurdities...

[@randomnonymous]

No safety measures like auto shut off or attendant to check on customers using the saunas.

[@wisdomveritas6281]

Are you retarded? It even showed in the news report that there should always be an attendant on duty when the sauna is in use. It's like there should always be a lifeguard on duty if people are swimming in the pool. And nobody was on duty. Wake up.

[@peterrodby2786]

People are no longer responsible for their own actions.

[@blueblood723]

@@randomnonymous not getting the public sympathy on this one

[@Rock_K9]

Take personal responsibility.

[@randomnonymous]

Why don't you say that about the establishment?

[@AlwaysPeacefulMaDeuce]

The club even put a sign that said “an attendant must be present when sauna is in use.” And there wasn’t. Where is the accountability in that?

[@randomnonymous]

@@AlwaysPeacefulMaDeuce Maybe after this they will have strict rules that the sauna cannot be used unless there is an attendant there to do periodic checks to keep customers safe. It is known that there is a danger of passing out in a sauna.

[@Nicko-c1m]

Don't go to the sauna when you're 80.

[@notsolethall]

Thought that was a given

[@numberone5680]

Now that’s a ridiculous statement! Age has nothing to do with negligence! Did YOU not see or note the warning? I had no idea of the precautions to take, but the thought of a sauna has always been “icky” to me anyway.

[@notsolethall]

@ 😘✌🏽 yes ICK.

[@randomnonymous]

Even soaking in a hot tub can be dangerous if you pass out from the heat.

[@numberone5680]

@@randomnonymous Yuck to those, too. I don’t want to sit with anyone in any tub. Ewww.

[@jwiki1]

This is tragic and I’m praying for the couple. I don’t understand how a country club can be held responsible for adults who are responsible for their own behavior. Laws in NY do not pertain to HI. Yes they might want to improve laws here but ultimately the wife and gentleman are responsible for this not the country club in my opinion.

[@randomnonymous]

You heard of Tort Law?

[@thatsjarrod1965]

Unless the door locked i have no idea how this is the saunas fault

[@ricardopolanco9477]

Seriously that’s on ur own this not a senior center

[@Sicilian1S]

2 hours she didn't go look for him ? Usually Sauna is 20 min. Someone check this lady.

[@precious0301]

you are exactly right…a sauna and jacuzzi cannot be no longer than 15 minutes.

[@jonnytt11]

You’re stupid. It’s not the facility that needs to babysit an old fool that decided to go nite nite in a sauna. Have some accountability. Let’s just close all saunas everywhere.

[@Ahdbfbfbeh]

What a bullshit lawsuit

[@randomnonymous]

You wouldn't say that if that was your father.

[@ganjasurfer8089]

Sue-happy Americans

[@blueblood723]

@@randomnonymous public not buying into it

[@TrpleAgnt2011]

​@@randomnonymous of course I would, where was his wife?

[@badsushi9975]

She planned it, she literally just said “if he could die” on the news fully just snitched on her self.

[@Six_Eight_Five]

She was already reacting as if he died when the guy came in to update her. 👀

[@mamaikeda82]

when does personal responsibility overtake blaming others? hmmmm

[@TryAmazonPrimeToday]

america

[@wasabiginger6993]

This is why we now have to live under more and more rules & restrictions ... because Americans refuse to be accountable for themselves ... and always look for ways to sue ... easy money ... Other countries see Americans as the biggest sue-happy country on the planet.

[@MadMax-zn9oh]

PILAU your waha! You LOLO the self ENGLISH WORDING say someone WORKING! MUST be present! Wot cannot read!

[@jhash9554]

Americans! WTF. Go away

[@SpikeNLB]

Convenient no reference to the man's age. Last I checked, it's the Waialae Country Club, not Waialae Adult Living Facility. Wife thinks its everyone else's responsibility to watch after her old and frail husband and is just looking for a multi-million dollar windfall. Almost appears that she intentionally did not ask anyone to check on him . . for 3 HOURS!!!!

[@kiwikat8143]

She looks quite a bit younger than her husband

[@SpikeNLB]

@@kiwikat8143 Understatement. There is A LOT more to this story.

[@derekpersky8178]

How is this the clubs responsibility? He shouldn’t have stayed there and slept. The club staff isn’t expected to randomly check on its patrons by walking into the sauna every few minutes.

[@DiViNELOVE7-77]

But how is this the country clubs fault?

[@Jenn-hw2ze]

Sorry not country clubs fault….thats your own fault go in at your own risk. Very sad but how are you going to sue the club?

[@laurastewart1964]

Sending love and prayers for his family and friends ❤❤❤❤

[@RodManFB]

How wonderful it must be to enjoy the USA but haul ass to Japan because you don’t like the local healthcare system! 80 years old and family let’s him cook himself alone! The family should be investigated for negligence.

[@DonJulio4649]

Did you see the video. It said because it exceeded $2 million dollars past their savings. It’s not that she didn’t like it, she got priced out. American healthcare system is insane. Citizens are scared to call ambulance because it costs too much so they use uber instead. That should speak for itself. Our healthcare system is fucked and the insurance.

[@localboyn2deep146]

Where was his care taker? Hello his 80 yold.. Sorry thus tragedy happened to him.

[@TheIrishd501]

I'm calling bullshit on this one. The club isn't responsible for either a medical emergency or negligence on the user's part. How responsible was it to let an 80 year old to go into a sauna in the first place? #moneygrab

[@azsunburns]

This is not the fault of the club. Shame on you.

[@randomnonymous]

There should be an attendant present when a person is using the sauna to do periodic checks, since it is known that people can pass out in one.

[@randomnonymous]

I guarantee if that was your father or grandfather you would be doing the same.

[@azsunburns]

@randomnonymous that's absurd. People do not routinely or even rarely pass out and every thing in a gym has warnings about only using if you are healthy enough to do so. He was 80.

[@alohagoodies]

I go to the sauna at the gym, put my timer on for 5 mins, see how I feel then reset the timer 2 more mins. I always see elderly in there, basically sleeping. Idk how they can stand being in there for so long. I start to feel dizzy if I’m in there too long or worse the steam room. I feel like I’m a manapua pork hash at 7-11 in there, I hate it! 😵‍💫

[@bf3367]

Maybe they should also have a big warning sign, with a time limit, before you enter the area. And/or have them sign in to use it.

[@notsolethall]

Just because it’s available doesn’t mean you SHOULD

[@kimmefford2814]

She did it

[@patrickwilliams8778]

Absolutely.

[@DonJulio4649]

日本人だったら責任ちゃんと持ってください。　なぜ管理者にあらかじめ言わなかったのですかサウナに連れて行く前に？ 人を責める前に自分と向き合って反省してください。

[@TeresaNaeole]

Who leaves someone if 80 in there for 2 hours 😢😢😢

[@citticat2]

IDK, Elderly people are warned not to go into a saunas and certainly not alone. Sounds like the guy had some kind of health episode and could not call for help. Did the employee even know he was in there and why did the wife wait 3 hours? Sounds like the wife needs to take responsibility.

[@LindaH444-b2u]

If, you are in poor health maybe you should stay out of the sauna.

[@Sliceofhaupia]

You guys go straight to the comments without even watching it. It’s a country club not a hotel. The wife was not at the country club “I called to see if they can find him” implying she was not at the country club. And the sign said attendant must be present for sauna.

[@mycatthinksoutsidethebox]

Having a sauna for profit means the owner needs to follow protocol. Any decent manager would ensure safety measures are followed. If someone signs in for a sauna ,& doesn't come out & sign out in a reasonable time, someone should check on them & if that means calling an ambulance, then so be it.

[@LeilaniG808]

Staff thought he was SLEEPING? Who hired them???

[@mycatthinksoutsidethebox]

blame-shifting lame excuse- perhaps there is inadequate training for the seriousness of following safety protocol to be accountable for managing a sauna on property? Property owners & Mgmt needs to accept responsibility & trainings need to held often & documented. OSHA, HHS, HIPPA, Atty Gen... whoever it takes- blame-shifting is inexcusable. When you run a business, & you invite ppl onto your property to utilize facilities you provide, you are accountable for their safety & well-being while they are doing so- you have protocols & rules for a reason. Safety first.

[@6kunio8]

more likely they're trying to keep her calm instead of getting her more hysterical

[@JuliaWeber-o7q]

So horrible

[@Sunny-ups]

FISHY WIFE, go look for him ? You go look!

[@Laulaulove]

They need money to pay bills

[@welcome_to_the_collapse]

I'm 92, and I'm in the sauna every day. I also drink raw milk, and a 6-pack of Corona every night. Kids nowadays are too soft.

[@cynthialewis2096]

This is not about you... smh!

[@6kunio8]

Unusual that the sauna wasn't on a timer

[@droberts77]

I’m so sorry it happened to him. We will pray for him and Mrs.

[@fayesmith2406]

Couple has some responsibility with the outcome. The man should never have gone alone, someone should have checked on him within 20-30 minutes maximum

[@nitroidhawaii6198]

Sorry to hear....But how is this the clubs fault? Followed by a lawsuit? I don't see it...Hopefully neither will the judge....

[@808jucim3]

Looking for the Cash $$ payout , not country Club Fault.

[@Allinmyworld]

2 hours you didn't think to check where your husband was? I agree safety measuring should be put in place at least the staff come and check the sauna every hour to see if anyone is in there.

[@KaliMaaaaa]

Where was the much younger foreign born wife for two hours? The video of her "breakdown" with paramedics seemed staged. This is not the clubs responsibility, EVERY sauna I've been in anywhere in the world has warning/rules to follow that are posted on site.

[@Judy-c3d]

I’m so sorry for his family.

[@gerryclark7232]

She left him to cook while she went shopping

[@shuji808]

Insurance fraud

[@Nicko-c1m]

They staff should know how long a customer is in the sauna.

[@dandelionsarefree7436]

If they have an attendant. I think you’re on your own in a country club. Very unfortunate and sad story for them

[@mycatthinksoutsidethebox]

Safety first. Sign in. Sign out. Facilities need to be responsible. If there was an emergency, they need to know how many ppl are on property & approx where within periodic increments of time. This is not about age or health. This is about safety protocols.

[@clairesamia7079]

Always go in to the sauna with a friend or besure there is another person inside as well.

[@ElmoTinker]

What was he doing alone?

[@Modokun]

"Their refusal to take accountability" - Ironic. Unbelievable they are keeping this dude alive. I don't think anyone would want to be in that state with zero chance of recovery.

[@blueblood723]

accountable for one's own actions...country club is for relaxation, not babysitting

[@JanellBaisac]

She sounds suspicious, and how younger she is. Why would someone that old in a sauna that is harmful. You sound like you’re scripted

[@harrymiram6621]

WCC needs to Step up & take responsibility. Good news travels fast, Bad news travels at light-speed!

[@titaniumman_22]

I don’t see anywhere where the ‘club’ should be held responsible. I am sorry for the family, but…

[@Nzmwwww1238]

Why would he go to a sauna at that age??? So frail and old

[@user-qt5jc1qc6n]

Those saunas should be made to run on a timer to automatically turn off after 20 minutes, or whatever is a safe amount of time.

[@alvinchung9361]

BRAHDA OLD YAH AND THIS LADY & FAMILY HAD SOME NEGLIGENCE, BUT THE COUNTRY CLUB SHOULD HAVE SET THEIR RULES AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE CLUB IS LIABLE. DESPERATE TIMES CALLS FOR DESPERATE MEASURES, SAD!

[@ursulakavaliauskas4463]

People need to assume some personal responsibility at hotels, condos, clubs. Unless he were trapped inside the sauna, the club should not be held responsible. The use of timers would have helped prevent the situation, though, so I expect Hawaii to enact a law requiring timers. Without a timer, the person should have encouraged their spouse to stand by.

[@lindakelley2676]

How is it the saunas fault when someone passes out? It's a tragic accident but where is fault?! The heat is always dangerous. Sometimes blame is just a response to grief. Accidents usually are a result of margins of error clashing. That's why they are called accidents. I can't imagine letting my 80 year old parent do a sauna alone, that is an oversight right there. Very sad. Neglecting to check on an 80 yr old for 3 hours is an issue. Knowing they were in the sauna? Something very wrong with this but litigation is rampant for every event in living now.

[@yasssgawwwd5643]

What’s the point of you’re keeping him alive for you.

[@cameronk544]

why would he want to go into a sauna to begin with, he so skinny

[@Critique808]

Why do people in Hawaii like to go in sauna? Just go park your car in hot sun.

[@ganjasurfer8089]

Sue-happy bullshit.

[@vids5374]

I've used the sauna for years and years. And I've seen a lot of old men go in there and do a lot of crazy stuff. I've seen old guys go in there and punch the wall for 30 minutes. Older guys treat the sauna almost like a fountain of youth. But they will overdo it in there. I overdid it in there one time.

[@avayu2289]

It is unfortunate but people need to know the exposure times and consequences of EVERYTHING before they embark on regular or first time use. Sauna and steam rooms as well as hot tubs-cold plunges are 10-15 minutes each use at the most. So was this elderly gentleman a regular sauna user or someone not aware of the proper exposure time? And did he have any other issues prior to entering the sauna? As far as I know, high end spas and resorts generally have consent-waiver forms as well as guidelines for clients and members.

[@ClarkKent-g3m]

Is He even an American citizen?🤔

[@vids5374]

The problem with the sauna is if you have an attendant they're going to have to open the door frequently which lets the Heat out. And then a lot of employees don't want to deal with the sauna because it is indeed and in fact hot in there LOL

[@tianaagustin9849]

Why sue now when it happened in April 2023?

[@randomnonymous]

That's not that long ago.

[@tianaagustin9849]

@randomnonymous They had from day of incident happened to December of 2023 to sue.

[@paradise6606]

It is his own fault. Not the clubs. Let him pass already lady.

[@Airestotle09]

Maybe accept your age and just live within your means. Life is so fragile as it is

[@pimplux6877]

This is a money grab and suing the Waialae Country Club is an easy target for her and the attorneys

[@2endsformacircle762]

What was club supposed to do? It was his choice to use the sauna. The club didn't make him use it. This lawsuit ain't going to be in their favor. Did anyone bother to check to see what the terms and conditions of the membership says? Is there verbiage on facility waivers and assumption of risks? Pretty standard for clubs.

[@nightreader1264]

Elder abuse by the much younger wife. You are 80 and frail and go into a sauna. People have to start being accountable. You cannot continue to sue due to bad choices made by the individual. What awareness- hello, 80 and going into a sauna in bad health.

[@veganandlovingit]

With modern technology, surely each person going into a sauna could wear a wrist band that monitors health. Surely they could invent something like that with an alarm.

[@dng6121]

4th degree burns? in a sauna? did he fall asleep on hot rocks?

[@thuggoe]

never heard of 4th degree burn

[@dng6121]

@@thuggoe watch the video. the one you are commenting on.

[@dng6121]

@@thuggoe and listen.

[@trudichoate1950]

Sad

[@toddsmith1690]

Sounds like they sent him so they could have a payday.

[@pearllemdal5988]

Really one must use common sense . Personally he should not have been allowedd into a sauna by himself

[@deathlarsen7502]

I went into a sauna and it turned out to be hot I thought I was going in the ice plunge I'm going to sue

[@devina808.]

I'm sorry but why did his wife take so long to ask someone to go in and look for him if SHE KNEW WHERE HE WAS!?! They were not responsible to keep tabs on him.

[@cathysisneros4076]

He should not of been allowed in the sauna do to his age period!!!!

[@julierawlins5984]

This is not Waialae CCs fault.

[@KamohoaliiAikanaka]

The Club isn't at fault. Sadly it is what it is. 80 yr old man alone in a sauna? Seriously!?

[@sarhadkasmarogi6908]

Something definitely not right. She seems so fake.

[@w.w.8215]

Are they legal? Stop blaming others. It’s a little funny. Medical costs are to expensive here but they were able to afford a country club.

[@noelhernandez7215]

Not good! He stayed inside too long!!

[@Dharmarenee]

The wife was trying to get rid of him.

[@notsolethall]

Should’ve bought his caregiver with him.. the hotel is his parents . No disrespect. Whatever money is money right

[@Janjust1617]

80 years old 😮 - it’s kinda common sense to go sauna for 15 min max and with someone. It’s a sauna not pool. You go on your own wishes. Blaming the hotel - why??? Don’t want to be mean but blaming others for your actions kinda sucks.

[@l82nite]

It's all a about the money. Only one that is going to come out ahead is the lawyer. He doesn't care about them. All he sees is a big payday.

[@derrek777]

Sorry but your husband took a risk on that sauna on his age.

[@jorgej5916]

Hot Sauna can easily succumb ie "drown" a person just like it would in a swimming pool if a swimmer happens to catch a leg cramp or heart attack where there should be an On duty Life Guard on watch saving life preventing injuries. What's the deal !???

[@Jenny-m6k2f]

Stem cell treatment?

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

OH, NO!! This is terrible! Ironically, Canon and SONY are two of the reasons I love Japan! And Jpop too, of course!

[@JanellBaisac]

Unfortunately he went on his own but here’s the thing what health reasons that she allowed him to go in a sauna and why fly to Japan obviously he to run away. That’s ok she can be extradited

[@eugenebae]

I thought the Japanese were WAY better than Americans when it came to "self responsibility" and "sue happy". But then again, they look like US citizens living in Hawaii.

[@xjjfjfdjdh9993bbhhhh5hjjjjd]

The club SHOULD have at least locked the sauna door area (not the door itself for safety) to prevent use if an attendant was required. A child could have wandered in and become trapped.