News

Birch Bay Waterslides agrees to $4 million settlement in injury lawsuit

Birch Bay Waterslides agrees to $4 million settlement in injury lawsuit

Birch Bay Waterslides after the closure in August 2026. Photo: Saga Communications/Emma Toscani


WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man who was seriously injured at Birch Bay Waterslides three years ago is getting a sizable payout.

Larry Baker’s attorney Michael Driggs tells My Bellingham Now that they’ve settled the case for $4 million, avoiding a trial that was scheduled to begin later this month.

Birch Bay Waterslides, Safe Slide Restoration and Kingworks Consulting Engineers will all contribute to the settlement.

“Larry and his family are very happy to have the case resolved,” Driggs, an attorney with The Advocates, said in a statement to MBN. “This settlement will help provide for Larry’s future needs and allow the family to move forward.”

Baker, a Skagit County resident, sued all three parties after his leg was trapped while going down the park’s Hairpin slide in August 2023.

Court documents state Baker had the skin and tissue torn off his left foot with additional injuries to his right leg and foot that made it painful to walk.

Inspections later found missing or damaged fasteners on the slide along with loose splash guard panels. Baker claimed Safe Slide and Kingworks Consulting were grossly negligent in monitoring and maintaining the waterpark.

Birch Bay Waterslides closed after the incident before reopening for the 2025 season without any major issues. The property was listed for sale earlier this year with a $6 million asking price and currently has a pending offer.

The settlement was first reported by Whatcom News.

Birch Bay Waterslides has not responded to MBN’s requests for comment.

Recent Headlines

1 day ago in Sports

Montero, Tigers shut out Guardians without a strikeout, a first in MLB since 2014

Keider Montero pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning and the Detroit Tigers blanked the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 on Thursday despite failing to record a strikeout.

1 day ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Winning ticket for $1 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Illinois

A Powerball ticket sold at a gas station in western Illinois was the sole winner of the $1 billion jackpot, ending a three-month drought without a top-prize victor.

1 day ago in Sports

Chicago Bears could merge 2 sites for potential stadium in northwest Indiana

The Chicago Bears have at least one viable site for a new stadium in northwest Indiana and they are examining a second location as they move closer to finalizing a place for their new home.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Film academy to honor Colman Domingo, Charlize Theron and John Carpenter at museum gala

Actors Colman Domingo, Charlize Theron and filmmaker John Carpenter are set to be honored at the Academy Museum Gala this fall. The red carpet for the annual fundraising event, now in its sixth year, has become a reliably starry and glamorous affair — a West Coast rival to New York's Met Gala. This year's edition will take place on the evening of Oct. 17 in Los Angeles.

1 day ago in Community Events, Entertainment, Farm, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Lookout, Local

Northwest Washington Fair, author talks, a mural festival and live music | Lifestyle Lookout

There’s plenty to do this weekend in our neck of the woods. We have it all for you in this week’s Lifestyle Lookout.

Bellingham Traffic