In a landmark ruling, 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 a drop ride at ICON Park in Orlando in 2022. Tyre weighed significantly more than the ride's weight limit, and his family claims that this devastating incident resulted from safety negligence on the part of both the ride operators and the manufacturer, Funtime Handels GMBH. Discussion around this fatal accident has since sparked legislative changes aiming to enhance safety protocols across Florida's amusement parks.
**Jury Awards $310M to Family of Teen Who Died on Orlando Amusement Ride**
**Jury Awards $310M to Family of Teen Who Died on Orlando Amusement Ride**
A Florida jury has decided on a significant payout following the tragic death of a teenager on an amusement ride at ICON Park.
The court found that Tyre, who was visiting the theme park with his football team, fell from a height of 30 meters (98 feet) after failing to be secured properly, since the ride did not have seat belts. Following his fall, he was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The family's lawyer, Ben Crump, asserted that Tyre’s death was indicative of a larger negligence problem in the theme park industry, ultimately prioritizing profit over safety.
Tyre's family, comprising his mother and father, who initiated the civil lawsuit shortly after their son's death, were awarded damages intended to compensate for his suffering and their loss. An undisclosed settlement was previously reached with ICON Park and the ride's owner, who were also named in the lawsuit.
In response to this tragedy, significant legal changes have taken shape. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted the Tyre Sampson Act in May 2023, mandating enhanced safety measures such as mandatory seat belts for rides exceeding 30 meters in height. This case has heightened awareness of amusement park safety, promising greater accountability from corporations operating such attractions. The verdict is viewed as a pivotal step forward, emphasizing the necessity for stringent safety standards to protect patrons, especially minors, in amusement parks.
Tyre's family, comprising his mother and father, who initiated the civil lawsuit shortly after their son's death, were awarded damages intended to compensate for his suffering and their loss. An undisclosed settlement was previously reached with ICON Park and the ride's owner, who were also named in the lawsuit.
In response to this tragedy, significant legal changes have taken shape. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted the Tyre Sampson Act in May 2023, mandating enhanced safety measures such as mandatory seat belts for rides exceeding 30 meters in height. This case has heightened awareness of amusement park safety, promising greater accountability from corporations operating such attractions. The verdict is viewed as a pivotal step forward, emphasizing the necessity for stringent safety standards to protect patrons, especially minors, in amusement parks.
