california v. florida

[antiquie]

18. Paralyzed teen waiting on $3.5 million settlement

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Aubrey Stewart was standing next to his family's car three years ago when a massive branch from a city-owned tree suddenly broke and crashed down on him, breaking the then-15-year-old's spine and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Jacksonville officials had been warned about the rotting tree, so they quickly reached a $3.5 million settlement with Stewart's parents to pay for his care and to make their home wheelchair accessible. But most of that money has never been paid.

Under Florida law, any claim over $200,000 against the state or a city, county, school district or other entity must be approved by the Legislature — even if the money would be paid by a local government or its insurance carrier.

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz says the state's system for paying claims against government entities is broken. He says it relies too much on emotion, and sympathetic claimants or those who hire prominent lobbyists fare better than others who might have more valid cases. The Panhandle Republican has refused to let Stewart's or any other claims bills be heard in the Senate during his two-year term as president, which will end later this year.