Bestway Hit With $25M Verdict in Toddler Drowning Case

Bestway Hit With $25M Verdict in Toddler Drowning Case

Introduction

The parents of a 2-year-old girl who tragically drowned in an above-ground pool nearly six years ago have been awarded $25 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against the pool's manufacturer and retailer, court records reveal.

The verdict was delivered by the Eastern District of Missouri and holds Bestway USA and Rural King accountable for their roles in the child's death.

Tragic Incident and Faulty Pool Design

The incident occurred on August 3, 2019, at the toddler’s grandparents’ home in Warren County, Missouri. The girl managed to gain access to a Bestway above-ground pool despite safety precautions taken by the family, including placing the ladder 11 feet away. However, a nylon strap encircling the pool, positioned just over a foot above the ground, served as an unintended step. Court records indicated the girl used this strap to climb into the pool, as confirmed by muddy footprints found above it.

Design Flaws and Safety Concerns

The lawsuit criticized Bestway’s pool design, stating the nylon strap created a ledge low enough for a small child to exploit. Attorneys argued that eliminating this strap or redesigning the pool would have only cost the manufacturer a small amount per unit. The complaint accused Bestway of prioritizing profit over safety, stating their conduct demonstrated a “conscious disregard for the safety of others,” and likened it to intentional wrongdoing due to the foreseeable danger it posed.

Retailer Responsibility and Verdict Impact

Rural King, the retailer that sold and promoted the pool, was also named in the suit for advertising the product despite allegedly being aware of its safety defects. The jury found both companies liable for the toddler’s death.
Attorneys for the family stated that while no amount of money could replace the loss of their child, the verdict brought a measure of justice. They expressed hope that this decision would encourage safer product designs and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.