Recalled above-ground pools linked to child injuries and deaths

Do you qualify to file a lawsuit for a pool recall incident?

Did you know that more than 5 million above-ground pools have been recalled due to a dangerous design flaw that allows small children to climb in — leading to serious injuries and, in some cases, fatal drowning incidents?

If your child was harmed because of one of these recalled pools, please share your story using the form on this page.

A recently announced recall of more than 5 million above-ground Bestway pools, Intex pools and Polygroup pools reveals a hidden danger that has already caused devastating consequences.

At the center of the pool recall is a design flaw involving an external restraint strap — meant to stabilize the pool — that may also act as a foothold, allowing small children to climb in unsupervised. Tragically, this flaw has been linked to multiple injuries and fatal drowning incidents involving children as young as 22 months.

If your child was injured or died as a result of this recalled pool design, you are not alone — and you may have legal options.

The above-ground pool recall 

On July 21, 2025, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a major above-ground pool recall affecting Bestway pools, Intex pools and Polygroup pools — three of the most popular brands. The recall applies to all 48-inch or taller above-ground pools equipped with an external restraint strap, a design feature now believed to contribute to serious safety risks.

According to the CPSC, more than 5 million of these pools have been sold in the U.S. and Canada since 2002, making this one of the largest pool-related recalls in recent history.

How pool defects put children at risk 

The recalled above-ground pools include an external restraint strap designed to stabilize the structure by compressing the pool’s legs. However, that feature may also create an unintentional foothold that allows small children to climb into the pool unsupervised.

Many parents take precautions, like removing the ladder when the pool is not in use, thinking it will prevent access. But the design of these pools may undermine those efforts, offering another less obvious way.

This design flaw puts young children at serious risk of injury or drowning.

Common injuries linked to above-ground pools

Reports have linked a range of serious injuries to the external restraint strap of the recalled pools. In some cases, children have used the strap to climb into an empty pool, resulting in falls and broken bones. When the pool contains water, the consequences can be even more severe. Children have suffered traumatic brain injuries and fatal drowning incidents related to the recalled pools.

According to the recall, at least nine children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old have drowned, forever changing their families.

How to file an above-ground pool lawsuit 

If your child was injured or died because of a recalled above-ground pool, you may be entitled to compensation. Filing a lawsuit could help hold the manufacturers accountable and push for safer pool designs moving forward.

Fill out the form on this page to have a qualified legal professional review your case and explain what legal options may be available to you. There is no cost to get started, and your information will be kept confidential.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.