Brett Gardner Lawsuit: Family Files Wrongful Death Suit After Son's Passing

Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against a Costa Rican resort following the death of his 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner.

On July 10, 2023, 14-year-old Miller Gardner was found deceased at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. A subsequent autopsy confirmed the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning. Following this tragedy, former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court. The legal complaint names Four Seasons Hotels Limited and several affiliated entities as defendants, alleging that a malfunctioning water heater in a nearby mechanical room leaked the odorless, colorless gas into the family's suite.

Legal documents specify that the lethal levels of CO reached the sleeping quarters through a shared ventilation system or structural gaps. The Gardner family seeks damages exceeding $50,000, the jurisdictional minimum, for mental pain, suffering, and the loss of their son’s companionship. According to the filing, the resort failed to install carbon monoxide detectors in guest rooms, despite the presence of gas-powered appliances on the premises. This lack of safety equipment is a central pillar of the Brett Gardner lawsuit, which claims the defendants were negligent in maintaining a habitable environment for international travelers.

Miller Gardner was a student-athlete at Holly Hill Academy in South Carolina before his passing. The incident occurred during a family vacation intended to celebrate the summer break. Investigators identified the source of the leak as a pool heater located directly beneath or adjacent to the unit occupied by the Gardners. The lawsuit asserts that the resort staff ignored warning signs of equipment failure in the days leading up to the fatality. Expert testimony included in the preliminary filings suggests that a simple $20 alarm could have prevented the 14-year-old’s death by alerting the occupants to the rising toxicity levels.

Brett Gardner, who played 1,688 games for the New York Yankees between 2008 and 2021, has remained largely out of the public eye since his retirement. This litigation marks the first major public development regarding his family since the 2023 event. The defense has filed motions to dismiss, citing forum non conveniens, arguing that the case should be heard in Costa Rican courts rather than United States jurisdictions. However, the plaintiffs contend that because the booking and corporate oversight originated in North America, the Florida court maintains proper authority over the proceedings.

Safety records for the Peninsula Papagayo region are now under intense scrutiny as a result of this high-profile case. The Gardners' legal team highlights that the Four Seasons brand markets itself on a standard of uncompromising safety and luxury. By failing to implement basic gas monitoring technology, the suit alleges the company breached its duty of care to the 14-year-old victim. The discovery phase of the trial is expected to uncover maintenance logs for the specific water heating unit suspected of the leak. As the legal battle intensifies, the baseball community continues to monitor the developments surrounding the 2009 World Series champion and his pursuit of accountability for his son's untimely passing.