Recalled Aboveground Pool Child Drowning Death Lawsuit Lawyers

Understanding the Deadly Risk Posed by Recalled Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup Pools and What Victims Can Do

More than 5.2 million aboveground pools sold across the United States and Canada are under recall after federal safety regulators confirmed that nine children drowned after gaining unsupervised access to these pools. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada announced that compression straps on these pools pose a fatal risk to small children. The affected models were sold by major brands Bestway, Intex Recreation, and Polygroup at retailers such as Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Costco, and Amazon.

The design flaw involves exterior compression straps that create an unintended foothold. Children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years were able to climb the pool wall using the strap, fall into the water, and drown without detection. These incidents occurred between 2007 and 2022, with the potential for more unreported injuries.

This hazard has triggered one of the most significant aboveground pool recalls in recent memory. Families who own any of the recalled models should act immediately to mitigate risk.

What Pools Are Affected and Where They Were Sold

The recall includes various models from Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup manufactured and sold as far back as 2002 and as recently as 2025. These models are all 48 inches or taller and feature compression straps along the outer shell. These straps—intended to support the pool—have now been flagged as a life-threatening design element.

More than five million units were sold in the U.S., with an additional 266,000 in Canada. These pools were purchased both online and in-store at nationwide retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Lowe’s, Costco, and Target. Consumers may not realize that older pools still in use are part of the recall.

Owners should immediately check the brand and model number of their pool against recall information provided by the CPSC and Health Canada. The manufacturers are offering a free repair kit, which includes a rope to replace the compression strap. Until repaired, the pool should be emptied and kept inaccessible to children.

Understanding the Design Defect That Made These Pools Deadly

The recalled pools share a common design flaw: the compression straps used for structural support inadvertently function as ladders for toddlers and small children. The straps are sturdy and positioned at a height that a child can use to climb over the wall. Without adult supervision, a child can easily scale the wall and fall into the water, leading to fatal consequences in just minutes.

While pool safety guidelines always stress adult supervision and barriers, these designs made it easier for toddlers to defeat common safety precautions. Many families were unaware that the pool’s own structure created the very hazard that claimed their child’s life.

Designers and manufacturers have a responsibility to foresee and prevent hazards that affect child safety. The failure to recognize and correct this design error over a period spanning more than 20 years has placed millions of families at risk.

Legal Rights for Families Affected by the Recalled Pools

Families who lost a child due to one of these defective pools may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. In cases where the product design directly contributed to a child’s ability to enter the pool without supervision, manufacturers can be held legally responsible for damages.

Potential claims may include:

• Wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the child
• Compensation for funeral and burial expenses
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Punitive damages for corporate negligence

Even if the injury occurred years ago, it may still be possible to pursue legal action, particularly if the pool model was recently identified in the recall. Courts may also consider whether manufacturers failed to initiate timely recalls or adequately warn consumers of the dangers.

If your family experienced a serious injury or fatality linked to a recalled Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup pool, legal help is available to evaluate your case and protect your rights.

Steps to Take If You Own a Recalled Pool

If you currently own one of the affected aboveground pool models, it is critical to act right away. Do not allow children near the pool until the compression straps are removed and replaced with the manufacturer-provided repair kit.

The steps to take include:

• Identify the brand and model of your pool
• Check the recall notices from CPSC or Health Canada
• Contact the manufacturer for a free repair kit
• Empty and secure the pool until the repair is complete

In addition to taking safety steps, you may want to document your pool setup, take photos of the compression strap, and preserve receipts or proof of purchase. These items may assist in a legal claim should injury or death occur.

Families who already experienced an incident involving these pools should seek medical or psychological treatment and consult with legal counsel. Many families remain unaware that the product in use was defective.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

If your family has been impacted by a child drowning or injury involving a recalled Bestway, Intex, or Polygroup pool, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Parker Waichman LLP is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with a long history of handling product liability and wrongful death cases. Our team is committed to helping families hold manufacturers accountable.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free, confidential consultation today. We are here to listen, support, and fight for justice on your behalf. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you and discuss your claim for free.