A Florida jury awards $310 million to the parents of a teen killed in an Orlando amusement park tragedy, highlighting the urgent need for safety reforms.
At a Glance
- Tyre Sampson, 14, fell to his death from the Orlando Free Fall ride in March 2022
- Jury awarded $155 million each to Tyre’s parents in a lawsuit against the ride manufacturer
- The ride lacked proper safety features and Tyre was not properly secured due to his size
- Case prompts discussions on ride safety and need for stronger regulations
- Florida passed the Tyre Sampson Act, mandating additional safety measures for tall rides
Tragic Incident Leads to Landmark Verdict
In a groundbreaking decision, a Florida jury has awarded $310 million to the parents of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after falling from an amusement park ride in Orlando in March 2022. The verdict, which came after a one-day trial, holds Funtime, the Austrian manufacturer of the Orlando Free Fall ride, accountable for the devastating incident.
The jury’s decision to award $155 million each to Tyre’s parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, underscores the severity of the safety failures that led to this tragedy. The Orlando Free Fall ride, which has since been closed and demolished, lacked crucial safety features such as seat belts, and Tyre was not properly secured due to his size.
Jury awards family of teen who fell from Orlando ride $310M https://t.co/ONGFuJoqBb
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) December 7, 2024
Negligence and Safety Failures Exposed
The family’s attorneys argued that Tyre’s death resulted from blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits. Notably, Funtime did not appear in court to defend itself during the trial, which may have influenced the jury’s decision.
“The jury’s decision confirms what we have long argued: Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits,” the family’s lawyers, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, said in a statement.
The case has shed light on significant safety issues within the amusement park industry. Tyre, who was visiting Orlando on spring break, exceeded the ride’s weight limit by 94 pounds. This crucial detail raises questions about the ride’s design and the park’s operating procedures.
Call for Stronger Regulations and Safety Reforms
The tragic incident and subsequent legal battle have sparked important discussions on ride safety and the need for stronger regulations in the amusement park industry. In response to Tyre’s death, Florida passed the Tyre Sampson Act, which mandates seat belts and harnesses for rides taller than 100 feet.
“This verdict is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” Mr. Crump said.
While the family had previously settled with Icon Park for an undisclosed amount, collecting the $310 million from Funtime will require a court order from Austria. This international aspect of the case highlights the complexities of holding global corporations accountable for safety failures.
