A family vacation in Mexico turned into a nightmare for the Quatrini family when their daughter, Paloma, was seriously injured in a pool accident at the Punta Mita Resort. The tragic incident occurred on what was meant to be their final day of holiday in February 2025, just days before Paloma’s fourth birthday.
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According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, the family, from Pittsburgh, was enjoying a shallow children’s pool at the resort’s Kupuri Beach Club when Paloma, accompanied by her younger brother and cousins, encountered a malfunctioning pool drain. The complaint states that the protective cover of the drain, which was designed and manufactured by Hayward, became defective, resulting in the young girl being trapped by the powerful suction.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Hayward expressed condolences for Paloma’s injuries and wished her a swift recovery. However, representatives for both Hayward and the Punta Mita Resort have not responded to further requests for comments.
When Paloma became entrapped, her parents, Adam Quatrini and Carolina Velez, attempted to free her from the drain, but the suction was too intense. According to Carolina’s sister, it took considerable effort for the family to find an emergency shut-off button to disable the pool pump, as they had to dive beneath the water to access it.
Paloma’s immediate need for medical attention was critical, and she was quickly transported to a nearby hospital. Sadly, the circumstances of the incident led to severe injuries, as the suction was so extreme that it caused significant damage to her small intestine. “The suction was so strong that her small intestine was ripped out of her body,” the complaint detailed.
Upon arrival at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Paloma underwent a series of emergency surgeries performed by Dr. Geoffrey Bond, a paediatric transplant surgeon. Bond described the gravity of the situation, recalling, “As a dad, it’s a horrifying accident.” He noted that Paloma had to endure over a dozen surgeries to attempt to reconstruct her severely damaged digestive system.
Despite efforts to provide surgical solutions, Paloma’s condition required long-term medical intervention. Dr. Bond explained that all of her small bowel had been lost, and as a result, her colon was attached directly to the remaining parts of her digestive tract. This meant that Paloma would now require parenteral nutrition, which provides essential nutrients intravenously, a treatment that necessitates a nightly connection lasting approximately 12 hours.
In light of Paloma’s injuries, her family has filed a lawsuit against Hayward, claiming that the defective pool drain has drastically altered her life and will lead to ongoing health complications. The lawsuit was originally filed in July but was later withdrawn to focus solely on Hayward, as other defendants were deemed not to be involved.
The legal team for Hayward has previously attempted to dismiss the case based on jurisdiction, claiming that since the incident occurred in Mexico, it should not be litigated in Pennsylvania. However, Paloma’s attorney, Robert Zimmerman, maintains that the majority of witnesses reside in Pittsburgh, warranting the venue choice. He stated, “A three-year-old girl should not have to litigate her case in a foreign country where she was almost killed.”
The Quatrini family is now seeking damages exceeding £150,000 and has expressed a desire for a jury trial. Additionally, they are advocating for increased awareness regarding the safety of swimming pool drains and the importance of knowing the location of emergency shut-off buttons. Carolina has been vocal about the importance of sharing their story, urging others to spread the word to help prevent similar accidents.
As Paloma continues her recovery, her family hopes to raise awareness around the potential dangers associated with pool drains and the need for proper safety measures in recreational facilities. Their tragic experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of accidents and the paramount importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety of young children in water environments.