Child drowning case results in $5M settlement

The parents of two children who drowned at a pool during a birthday party have reached a $5 million settlement with a confidential defendant.

Plaintiff’s attorney James D. O’Leary of Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson in St. Louis, said the wrongful death settlement was finalized Jan. 9 in St. Louis City Circuit Court.

He said the children, both minors, drowned while attending a birthday party in what he called a “recreational facility.” O’Leary declined to give further details about the children or the defendant, citing a confidentiality agreement.

While he was limited in what he could share, he said the case shows that suits involving the deaths of children have substantial settlement or verdict value, despite arguments to the contrary by insurance companies or defense attorneys.

“We felt it was important, given the limited information we could share, that we provide what we could about this tragic event, to help others evaluate their claims, without violating the confidentiality agreement,” he said.