Parents of Teen Killed in Orlando Ride Awarded $310 Million

Parents of Teen Killed in Orlando Ride Awarded $310 Million

Introduction

The parents of a 14-year-old Missouri boy who tragically fell to his death from an Orlando amusement park ride in 2022 have won a $310 million verdict against the ride's Austrian manufacturer, Funtime.

$155 million for the parents

An Orange County jury awarded $155 million to each parent of the boy, who died on March 24, 2022, after plummeting 70 feet from the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park. The trial lasted only one day, as Funtime did not appear in court to defend itself. Icon Park had previously settled with the family for an undisclosed amount.

Family's attorneys' statement

In a statement, the family's attorneys said the jury’s decision validates their claim that the boy's death was caused by "blatant negligence" and prioritization of profits over passenger safety. The parents will now need to pursue enforcement of the damages through Austrian courts.

Lack of safety on the rides

Funtime, known for manufacturing high-adrenaline rides such as the Vomatron, Sling Shot, and Chaos Pendle, did not respond to the lawsuit. Their ride, Orlando Free Fall, seated 30 passengers in harnesses attached to a 430-foot tower. Unlike similar attractions, it lacked seat belts as a secondary safety measure.

The accident

The boy, a 6-foot-2, 380-pound football player visiting Orlando during spring break, was ejected from his seat when the ride braked 70 feet from the ground. Due to his size, his harness didn’t lock properly. His parents argued that both Icon Park and Funtime failed to warn riders of size restrictions and neglected to implement sufficient safety features. They noted that adding seat belts would have cost only $660.

The tragedy led to the permanent closure and demolition of the Orlando Free Fall ride. The family's lawyers emphasized that this verdict holds the manufacturer accountable for its failures and ensures such negligence has consequences.