A story of a motel with hot water is newsworthy.
I am sorry for the victim.
I lived at a long-term motel where adjusting the shower temperature was a test of one’s fine motor control. Even once right the temperature would creep up or down after five minutes in and I’d have to back out and readjust it.
So yes, someone of lesser awareness and/or sensitivity can easily become injured by defective plumbing or negligent installation.
On the restaurant running 140 degree water: I had a manager who’d handle near-sizzling plates right out of the washer. Took me a bit to understand he was one of those rare people with genetically low ability to sense pain and I wasn’t the wimp he accused me of being.