Family Sues Over Six-Year-Old Son's Pool Drowning

Amy Rothschild

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On January 28, 2008, the parents of a six-year-old boy who drowned when his arm got caught in a strong underwater swimming pool suction drain, filed a law suit agains the the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, Shoreline Pools and other defendants. The lawsuit, which asks for more than $15,000 in damages, states that Shoreline Pools ad a history of violating building code requirements. The lawsuit also claims that the town of Greenwich neglected to conduct an appropriate inspection before issuing a permit for the pool and accuses the town of failing to conduct a proper inspection before issuing a permit.

The boy was trapped in the pool drain on July 26th. The boy's father and another adult jumped into the pool to try to free him but the suction on the drain was simply too strong. The parents were not able to find a way to cut off the suction pump so they cut off power to the entire house which included the pool's drain pump. After the child was freed, the father performed CPR but was not able to resuscitate the child.

According to the claim brought by the boy's parents. there have been more than 150 reported cases of swimming pool drain entrapments, leading to at least 48 deaths and many serious injuries since 1985.

If any funds are recovered, the parents plan to donate the money to an organization that provides funding for child safety issues.

This story was first published by the Associated Press.