A Florida jury has awarded $310 million to the family of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who tragically fell to his death from an amusement park ride in 2022. The decision marks a significant milestone in holding amusement park operators and manufacturers accountable for safety measures.

The jury awarded $155 million each to Tyre’s parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, for pain and suffering, in addition to medical and funeral expenses. The judgment comes after Austrian-based ride manufacturer Funtime Handels failed to appear in court for the civil trial in Orange County, prompting a default ruling against the company.

A spring break outing turns fatal

Tyre Sampson, a high school student from St. Louis, Missouri, was visiting ICON Park in Orlando during spring break on March 24, 2022, when the tragedy occurred.

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During his visit, he decided to ride the FreeFall drop tower, billed as the world’s tallest freestanding drop ride at the time. As the ride descended its 400-foot drop, Tyre slipped out of his harness and fell to the ground in front of horrified parkgoers. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to severe injuries.

A lawsuit that exposed negligence

The lawsuit filed by Tyre’s family alleged that the ride lacked seatbelts, which could have been added for as little as $22 per seat. The suit also highlighted a series of critical oversights: Tyre, who was 6’5″ and weighed 380 pounds, had been turned away from other park rides due to his size but was allowed on the FreeFall ride despite exceeding its weight limit by over 100 pounds.

An independent investigation revealed that Tyre’s seat had been “manually loosened, adjusted, and tightened,” creating a dangerously large gap between his harness and the seat.

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Compounding the issue, the ride attendant on duty had only three days of experience and was classified as a “trainee.” A state report concluded that Tyre was not properly secured in his seat, while his autopsy confirmed he died from blunt force trauma.

Legislative change and corporate accountability

The tragedy prompted the dismantling of the FreeFall ride a year later, with Nekia Dodd present to witness its removal. “Unfortunately, when he passed, I wasn’t there for him. So, I had to do this,” she said at the time.

In May 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Tyre Sampson Act into law, mandating stricter safety measures for amusement park rides. The law requires rides over 100 feet tall to include seatbelts and harnesses, undergo inspections by independent regulators, and promptly report accidents. Modifications to ride sensors or restraints must also be documented and justified.

Legal and industry implications

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the family, called the verdict a “step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products.” He condemned the manufacturer’s negligence, stating, “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.” Crump emphasized the broader impact of the case, urging the theme park industry to adopt stricter safety standards. “Tyre’s legacy will be a safer future for riders everywhere,” he said. The $310 million verdict stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate safety measures and a call to action for increased oversight in the amusement park industry.