ORLANDO, Fla. — In a rapid decision late Thursday, an Orange County jury awarded $310 million to the parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after falling from a towering amusement ride in Orlando last year. The jury, which began selection that morning, delivered a substantial verdict against Funtime, the Austrian-based creator of the Orlando FreeFall ride, and Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, the German firm responsible for the ride’s seat design and safety inspections.
The tragic incident occurred in March 2022, when Tyre Sampson, a visitor from St. Louis, Missouri, fell from the ride after it abruptly braked during its descent. Tyre, who was over 6 feet tall and weighed 380 pounds, exceeded the ride’s weight limit — a detail overlooked when he was allowed to board. The ride, which stood as the world’s tallest drop tower at 430 feet, featured only an overhead seat harness without a seat belt, unlike similar rides.
Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, Tyre’s parents, filed the lawsuit, arguing that the companies involved failed to enforce necessary height and weight restrictions and did not equip the ride with adequate restraint systems. The complaint further stated that ADP & Associates Professional Inspections did not conduct proper inspections before the tragedy.
The jury ordered Funtime to compensate each parent $155 million, reflecting the gravity of the manufacturers’ negligence and the value they placed on Tyre’s life. Represented by civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, the family expressed hope that the verdict would prompt stricter safety standards across the industry.
“This verdict is not just about compensating a grieving family but ensuring that this kind of preventable tragedy does not happen again,” the attorneys stated in a joint email. They emphasized that the jury’s decision underlined the severe oversight in safety protocols and the prioritization of profits over human life.
The Sampsons’ legal pursuit also led to significant reforms in Florida’s ride safety laws. The 2023 Tyre Sampson Act, spearheaded by State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, addressed the loopholes that had allowed for the ride’s safety failures. This new legislation prohibits unauthorized modifications to ride restraints and mandates detailed operational documentation. Although it exempts major theme parks, it enhances the state agriculture department’s authority to conduct unscheduled inspections and enforce training standards.
In a prior settlement, Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the ride’s operator, agreed to dismantle the FreeFall and paid $250,000 to the Florida Department of Agriculture, pledging not to seek future permits for the ride. Another undisclosed settlement was reached with ICON Park, where the ride was located.
The case drew additional attention to the broader implications of transparency in ride safety investigations. Companion legislation now shields records in active investigations from immediate public release, a provision scrutinized by advocates like attorney Michael Haggard, who criticized the potential limitation it places on public awareness in future incidents.
As this case concludes, Tyre Sampson, remembered by his mother as a bright and passionate football player and student, leaves a legacy that could redefine amusement ride safety standards.
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