Minneapolis Girl's Death Could Mean Lower Lawsuit Award, Experts Say

March 26, 2008

Experts say the death of 6-year-old Abigail Taylor from the injuries she suffered in a swimming pool accident probably means the targets of a lawsuit will pay less in damages.

Abigail died last week, nine months after she sat on a pool drain whose suction pulled out part of her intestine.

Several attorneys interviewed by the Star Tribune said her family's lawsuit against the Minneapolis Golf Club and the maker of the pool drain is now a wrongful death case _ instead of a personal injury suit. And they say that is likely to mean lower damages.

The Taylor family's attorney, Bob Bennett, says that's historically been true. But he says he doesn't know if that will hold up in this case.