One million pound suit after grandma scalded in UK hotel dies

www.mangaloretoday.com

London, Nov 14, 2015: The family of an Indian grandmother, who recently died after being scalded in a hotel shower in the UK, is seeking 1.2 million pounds in damages, media reports.

Kalyani Uthaman, 59, from Bengaluru, who was on a holiday in Scotland, was scalded at the Premier Inn in Edinburgh in 2012.   She had sustained 25 per cent burns to her body and died of multiple organ failure.

On August 4, 2012,  Uthaman went for a shower, but minutes later, her daughter-in-law found her lying slumped and scalded, News reports stated. She was treated in intensive care for six weeks, but died of multiple organ failure, which doctors said had been caused by the burns she had suffered.

Her family has lodged a law suit at Scotland’s highest civil court, the Court of Session, at Edinburgh, where they are seeking 1.2 million pounds (U.S. $ 1.8 million) from the hotel chain operators.

 Uthaman’s son Sundar Vadivel Uthaman, 44, said it had been a very difficult time for the family.“It is an irreparable loss, given the love and affection she had for us, and we had for her. It was something none of us expected would ever happen in a very safe country like the UK,” he said.

Glen Millar of Thompsons Solicitors said their case centred on the claim that thermostatic valves, which prevent scalding, should have been fitted.

The hotel said, “Our thoughts are with the family of  Uthaman during what must have been, and which must remain, an extremely difficult period for them. We have worked closely with and supported the authorities concerned with their enquiries around this case. As civil proceedings are active, we unfortunately cannot comment further.” The Ms. Uthaman’s family, and their lawyer, said they were unable to understand why the Crown Office decided not to hold a fatal accident inquiry into the death so that lessons could be learnt to prevent similar future accidents.The case for damages is due to have its first call in the court later this month.