A California family is demanding justice after a grandfather was allegedly “boiled alive” when scalding water from a hotel shower reached a temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit, causing severe burns that led to his death. The horrifying incident has prompted both legal action and a state investigation into the hotel’s safety practices.
According to the family’s attorney, the 72-year-old man was staying at the hotel while visiting relatives when he entered the shower and was suddenly hit by extremely hot water. The man reportedly screamed for help as the water rapidly burned his skin, leaving him unable to turn off the faucet or escape the stall. By the time emergency responders arrived, he had suffered severe second- and third-degree burns across much of his body.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remained in critical condition for several days before succumbing to his injuries. Medical staff determined that the water temperature exceeded safe levels for human exposure, describing the burns as consistent with “prolonged contact with near-boiling water.”
The family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel, alleging gross negligence and failure to maintain proper water temperature controls. Their attorney claims that hotel staff were aware of malfunctioning water heaters but did not take appropriate action to protect guests. “This was a completely preventable tragedy,” the attorney said. “No guest should ever risk death simply by taking a shower.”
Safety experts note that most commercial water systems are required to limit hot water temperatures to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding injuries. At 136 degrees, skin can suffer serious burns in less than three seconds. The hotel’s apparent failure to monitor or regulate water temperatures could represent a major violation of state safety codes.
The hotel management has not released a public statement but confirmed that an internal review is underway. Meanwhile, the California Department of Public Health and local building inspectors are conducting separate investigations to determine whether the property complied with safety standards.
Family members described the victim as a loving grandfather and devoted father who was “full of life and kindness.” They say their goal now is to ensure no other family experiences such a preventable loss. “He trusted that he was safe in that room,” his daughter said tearfully. “That trust cost him his life.”