Florida Gov. Ron D
eSantis has vetoed a bill that would have restored some family memb
ers’ right to file suit afte
r a loved one dies from medical negligence.
The Florida Legislat
ure this year approved House Bill 6017 by wide margins. The bill would have repealed a 1990 law – unique to Florida – t
hat bars unmarried a
dult children and their parents from recovering damages for medical
malpractice. The 1990 law, written to help keep a lid on malpractice in
surance costs, has been called the “free kill” law.
DeSantis said this week that the repeal bill lacked limits on damages
, which would make it harder to recruit physicians to the Sunshine State.
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The Florida Justice Reform Institute agreed, noting in an email that w
hile the legislation was proposed with good intent, without caps
, the expansion will le
ad to increased litigation, skyrocketing claims and limited access for health care.
Supporters of HB 6017 said malpractice insurance costs have risen steadily in Florida in the 35 years since the
1990 law was pas
sed, and the law is unfair to families seeking justice for negligence. Read more about the passag
e of the bill in early May. It’s unclear if lawmakers will try to override t
he governor’s veto. One of the lead sponsors of the bill, Rep. Clay Yarborough, told Florida Politics that he will not push for an override vote.