Accident in Mexico Leaves Young Girl with Serious Injuries

A three-year-old girl, Paloma Quatrini, endured a traumatic experience during a family vacation in Mexico when her small intestine was severed due to a malfunctioning pool drain, as detailed in a lawsuit.

Paloma was just about to celebrate her fourth birthday in February 2025 when the protective cover of a children’s pool drain at the Punta Mita Resort failed, pulling her under while she was playing in shallow water. Her parents, Carolina Velez and Adam Quatrini, struggled to free her from the drain, but the suction proved to be overwhelming.

After what felt like an eternity, about two minutes later, someone found the switch to turn off the pump, and Paloma was quickly taken to a hospital.

The force of the suction was so intense that it caused significant damage, tearing her small intestine from her body, according to the lawsuit. This condition, known as evisceration, is rare and can often be fatal.

Paloma was transported to a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh, her family’s home city, where she faced numerous life-saving surgeries over the following months, including delicate reconstructive procedures for her digestive system.

Dr. Jeffrey Bond, one of the treating physicians, conveyed the severity of her condition, explaining, “All of her small intestine was gone.” He elaborated that they had to connect her colon directly to what remained of her small intestine, leaving her without a full functioning organ.

Currently, Paloma relies on a line that provides her with necessary nutrients directly into her bloodstream for half the day and may require an organ transplant in the future.

Her parents have initiated legal action against Hayward, the manufacturer of the pool drainage system involved in the incident. Initially, they filed a complaint in July that included the resort and other defendants, but it was later pulled back. Hayward attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming they were not liable as the incident occurred in Mexico.

Paloma’s family subsequently refiled against Hayward alone, citing the concentration of key witnesses in Pittsburgh as the reason for this choice.

Family attorney Robert Zimmerman expressed, “Suing shouldn’t be necessary when a small child nearly loses her life abroad.” He added that the last thing the parents wish to do is revisit Mexico where this tragic event took place.