The family of a man who suffered fatal injuries in a Colorado Springs gym sauna in 2023 is now suing the gym for wrongful death and gross negligence.

According to a lawsuit filed in El Paso County District Court, Colorado Springs resident 64-year-old David Diaz was in the 24 Hour Fitness at 1892 Southgate Road, in January of 2023 when he suffered burns and blisters to his mouth, throat, arms and torso, totaling over 31% of his body from a steamer spout explosion in the sauna.

The lawsuit states that Diaz spent the next 11 days in the hospital, incurring more than $900,000 in medical bills before dying. The El Paso County Coroner determined that he had died as a result of complications from his scalding injuries.

David’s daughter Phebe Diaz filed the lawsuit on her family’s behalf on Thursday, Jan. 9 in El Paso County District Court seeking an unspecified amount in damages from 24 Hour Fitness.

The lawsuit claims that gym management knew the spout was malfunctioning before the explosion but failed to repair it or put up signs or markings to warn patrons that the steam room was not safe for use.

That 24 Hour Fitness location at 1892 Southgate Rd., the last of the chain’s locations in the Colorado Springs area, will be closing Feb. 28. The California-based chain’s corporate office did not respond to phone calls and emails from The Gazette seeking more information about the lawsuit or the closing.