Politics & Government

SJC Upholds Judgement Against Toys "R" Us

The case involves a woman who died in Andover using a product sold by the popular toy store chain.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled to uphold a $20.6 million judgement against Toys "R" Us related to an Andover death seven years ago.

In 2006, Robin Aleo, 29, while visiting family in Andover, died after sustaining severe neck injuries when an inflatable pool slide she had purchsed collapsed.

The slide -- a Banzai in-ground pool water slide -- was imported and sold by Toys "R" Us, and Aleo's family sued the toy chain for wrongful death and product liability.

In 2011, a jury found that Toys "R" Us had been negligent by not testing the product and that the slide -- manufactured in China -- did not meet federal safety standards.

Aleo's family was awarded $20.6 million, and Toys "R" Us appealed the ruling, saying that was too much money.

In 2012, Toys "R" Us and Walmart recalled that particular Banzai slide, siting the danger that it would collapse, as is what happened in the Aleo case.

Find out what's happening in Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The company requested a new trial, and that request was denied. So the company appealed to the SJC.

"We are pleased that today’s decision upheld the finding of the jury, and recognized the tremendous and needless loss suffered by the Aleo family," attorney Ben Zimmerman, who represented the family, said in a statement after the ruling. "It also sends a powerful message to toy retailers across the country that they have a responsibility to ensure the products they import and bring to market are safe for consumers."

Find out what's happening in Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here