The family of a tourist who died after being scalded in an Edinburgh hotel shower has received an apology and compensation from the owners. Kalyani Uthaman, 59, from India, was on holiday in Scotland in August 2012 when she was severely scalded at the Premier Inn in Newcraighall. She suffered multiple organ failure and died in hospital weeks later.
Her family sued for a six-figure sum to pay hospital fees. Their lawyer argued the hotel failed in its duty of care by not having fitted a thermostatic mixing valve to regulate water temperature. Speaking from Bangalore, Mrs Uthaman's son, Sundar Uthaman, 44, said: 'I feel vindicated in the sense that a settlement is an acknowledgement by Whitbread that they did wrong.' He expressed anger that an apology was only issued after court proceedings were raised.
A Crown Office spokesman said the family was informed in January 2014 of the decision not to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry. The incident was fully investigated by police, the council and health and safety experts, but independent Crown Counsel agreed there would be no focus for a discretionary FAI.
A spokesman for Premier Inn said: 'We are very sorry for the tragic accident... this was an isolated incident. We constantly monitor and regulate the water temperature of our showers in line with industry best practice.' Glenn Miller, of Thompsons Solicitors, said he believed there was a case in common law that the hotel did not look after Mrs Uthaman properly.
