The tragic death of Missouri teen Tyre Sampson at a Florida amusement park has sparked his family’s quest for answers and justice. Sampson, only 14 years old, fell over 200 feet to his death while riding the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in Orlando on March 24, 2022. Despite being well over the ride’s weight limit, park staff allowed him to ride after manually adjusting his seat.
The family’s emotional rollercoaster reached a turning point on December 5, 2024, as an Orlando courthouse awarded them $310 million in a wrongful death civil suit against Funtime Handels, the ride manufacturer. The heartbroken parents of Sampson, Mekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, expressed relief and a sense of closure after nearly three years of legal battles.
The Verdict and Emotional Impact
Family attorney Ben Crump hailed the $310 million verdict as a message of accountability, emphasizing the importance of justice for the wrongful death of Tyre Sampson. The grieving parents, visibly emotional following the verdict, found solace in the legal closure but were left disappointed by the absence of Funtime Handels representatives in court. Legal Battle and Closure
The Sampson family’s legal battle began in April 2022, following Tyre’s tragic death, leading to a settlement with ICON Park and operator Slingshot Group in March 2023. The lawsuit revealed that Sampson’s seat harness was adjusted beyond its normal range, highlighting safety concerns and negligence on the part of the amusement park. Pursuit of Justice and Accountability
Despite the court’s ruling, Funtime Handels faces the risk of additional penalties and potential loss of operational license in the US if they fail to pay the $310 million judgment. The Sampson family’s attorneys, including Michael Haggard, emphasized the importance of holding overseas companies accountable within the US justice system.
The Sampson family’s legal battle began in April 2022, following Tyre’s tragic death, leading to a settlement with ICON Park and operator Slingshot Group in March 2023. The lawsuit revealed that Sampson’s seat harness was adjusted beyond its normal range, highlighting safety concerns and negligence on the part of the amusement park.
Pursuit of Justice and Accountability
Despite the court’s ruling, Funtime Handels faces the risk of additional penalties and potential loss of operational license in the US if they fail to pay the $310 million judgment. The Sampson family’s attorneys, including Michael Haggard, emphasized the importance of holding overseas companies accountable within the US justice system.
In the aftermath of Tyre Sampson’s tragic death, his family continues to seek closure and answers while advocating for safer amusement park regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future. The memory of Tyre Sampson lives on through his family’s pursuit of justice and accountability in the face of unimaginable loss and grief.