The parents of a three-year-old girl are pursuing legal action following their daughter’s serious injuries when she got caught in a swimming pool drain. Paloma Quatrini, now five years old, was at a resort pool in Mexico when the drain cover malfunctioned, pulling her towards its strong suction force. The incident left her trapped until her parents managed to find an emergency off switch under the pool, freeing her.
Paloma was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered internal injuries, including her small intestine being torn out due to the intense suction. She underwent life-saving surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where a surgeon addressed the extent of the damage. Even two years later, Paloma still relies on direct injections of essential nutrients into her stomach and bloodstream due to complications with her internal organs.
The legal claim by the parents points to the manufacturer Hayward as responsible for the faulty drain, stating that Paloma’s life has been significantly impacted, leading to ongoing medical issues. Hayward expressed sadness over the incident and wished Paloma a swift recovery. Initially, Hayward tried to dismiss the lawsuit by arguing the incident happened in Mexico, not Pennsylvania. However, Paloma’s family refiled the case, naming only Hayward as the defendant and keeping the lawsuit in Pittsburgh for convenience of witnesses.
The family’s lawyer emphasized that a young child like Paloma should not have to go through legal proceedings in a foreign country where the traumatic incident occurred, highlighting the emotional burden on the parents.
