A Southwest Florida lawmaker filed a bill to authorizes parents of adult children to recover damages for mental pain and suffering in medical negligence suits.
Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Ft. Myers, filed HB 6011 on August 24. The measure has yet to be referred to a committee ahead of the 60-day session that convenes January 11. There is no Senate companion.
Roach, a military JAG officer and 2012 University of Miami School of Law graduate, filed an identical measure earlier this year.
The House voted 99-16 to pass HB 651 on March 15. It was referred to Senate Rules, where it died when the session ended April 30.
A companion, SB 1112 by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, died the same day in Senate Judiciary without receiving a hearing.
Florida law allows parents of adult children to recover damages for mental pain and suffering in wrongful death actions, but not medical negligence claims. HB 6011 would remove the exemption for parents of a child who is 25 or older and has no surviving spouse or children.
Jim Ash, Florida Bar News (2021, September 08) https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/bill-would-make-parents-of-adult-children-who-are-victims-of-medical-negligence-eligible-for-damages/