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Bill would make parents of adult children who are victims of medical negligence eligible for damages

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Rep. Spencer Roach

Rep. Spencer Roach

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.

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