Orlando, Fla. — A jury has ordered the manufacturer of an amusement ride to pay $310 million to the parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after he was ejected from a ride at an Orlando theme park in 2022. The verdict, which came swiftly after a trial that lasted less than three hours, highlighted ongoing concerns about ride safety while reflecting the incalculable loss suffered by the boy’s family.
Tyre Sampson, who exceeded the ride’s weight restrictions, fell from the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in March 2022, drawing intense scrutiny to ride safety protocols and manufacturing standards. His mother, Nekia Dodd, expressed that while the financial award was substantial, it did little to ease the enduring heartache of losing her son. The rapid conclusion of the trial underscored the jury’s agreement with the plaintive’s urgent calls for accountability.
The suit named Funtime, the ride’s Austrian-based manufacturer, and Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, a German company accountable for the ride’s seat design and safety harness inspections. Gerstlauer was dismissed from the case before the trial’s outset, and Funtime did not participate. Efforts to reach Funtime for comments have been unsuccessful, and no legal representation for the company was listed in court records.
Prominent among the voices advocating for the Sampson family was Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney known for his work in personal injury cases. He stressed the importance of persisting in the fight for the value of children’s lives and futures, irrespective of the opposition. The jury’s decision, according to attorneys representing the family, marks a significant stance against negligent manufacturers but collecting the award may present a legal challenge.
The legal team, including Kimberley Wald of the Haggard Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, is prepared to pursue the judgment globally if necessary. Michael Haggard discussed ongoing dialogues about Funtime with both the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State, indicating potential international legal implications due to Funtime’s business engagements across multiple countries.
The incident attracted widespread attention when video footage capturing the harrowing event circulated online. Tyre Sampson, visiting Florida from St. Louis, Missouri, was a remarkable student and an aspiring football player. His fall and the subsequent investigation into the ride’s safety procedures unearthed several alarming aspects, such as the harness adjustment to accommodate Tyre, despite it not being securely fastened.
Following Sampson’s death, multiple legal and regulatory actions were undertaken. Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the ride’s operator, settled with the Florida Department of Agriculture, agreeing to permanent cessation of the ride’s operation and a financial penalty. The FreeFall itself was dismantled amid public outrage and subsequent safety inspections that revealed no mechanical failures but noted manual adjustments to harness settings.
The tragedy galvanized legislative action with the passing of the Tyre Sampson Act by Florida’s legislature. Spearheaded by state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, the law tightened regulations on ride safety, mandating strict compliance with engineered restraint systems and enhanced scrutiny by state authorities. Sadly, the act also included provisions that limit public access to investigative records during active probes, a measure that has received mixed reactions concerning public transparency and safety advocacy.
While the family appreciates the legislative efforts towards stronger safety regulations, they and their legal team continue to voice concerns over aspects of the law that they believe could hinder public knowledge and response to future accidents.
This article is based on public records and statements from involved parties and attorneys. Accurate representation of events, individuals, and legal proceedings depends on available data, and deviations or inaccuracies can occur. For corrections or retractions, please contact [email protected].