Jury Orders $310 Million Payout to Family of Teen Who Died on Orlando Ride

In Florida, a jury has mandated that an amusement ride manufacturer compensate the family of a teenage boy with $310 million (£243 million) after he died in 2022 from falling off their drop ride at an Orlando theme park. Tyre Sampson, whose weight exceeded the ride’s 129kg limit by 43kg (94lbs), fell 30 meters (98 feet) from the attraction, which was not equipped with seat belts. Attorneys representing his family contended that his death stemmed from safety deficiencies and neglect on the part of both the ride’s operators and its manufacturer. Funtime Handels GMBH, the Austrian manufacturer, did not dispatch a representative to the court proceedings, nor was any legal counsel recorded in the court documents for them. The 14-year-old Tyre was visiting ICON theme park in Orlando during spring break with his American football team. Following his fall from the ride, he was transported to a nearby children’s hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. This week, when determining the damages, the jury stated the sum was for the “pain and suffering as a result of Tyre Sampson’s injury and death.” Ben Crump, the family’s lawyer, stated, “Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritise safety over profits.” The awarded damages have been divided equally between Tyre’s mother and father, who initiated the civil lawsuit in March 2022, one month after their son’s passing. In the previous year, they reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum with two additional defendants: Eagle Drop Slingshot, the ride’s owner, and ICON Park, the location where it was in operation. Tyre’s uncle, Carl Sampson, characterized him at the time as a “really good kid” and “very intelligent.” His fatality has led to safety reforms within Florida, a state known for housing several of the nation’s most renowned amusement parks. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted the Tyre Sampson Act into law in May 2023. This legislation enhances safety standards for theme park attractions, mandating seat belts and harnesses for any ride exceeding 100 feet (30 meters) in height. “This verdict is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” Mr. Crump commented on Thursday.