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Politics Can Impact Your Rights

This article was edited and reviewed by FindLaw Attorney Writers | Last reviewed March 26, 2008

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On May 18, 1998, Governor Lawton Chiles vetoed SB874. This Bill would have made significant changes to the State's tort system affecting the rights and safety of Florida's families.

This was an extreme Bill. Governor Chiles stated that this Bill would have left injured consumers uncompensated and State taxpayers picking up the cost for negligent businesses.

The Bill had several short comings including but not limited to a 12 year statute of repose on product liability. This would have meant that regardless of any and all circumstances, a lawsuit could not be brought if a product was more than 12 years old. Governor Chiles correctly noted that many products are designed to last more than 12 years.

The Bill the Governor vetoed also included an arbitrary $300,000.00 cap on the application of joint and several liability for economic damages. This would have denied full compensation for victims who suffer from catastrophic injuries, some of which require lifetime medical care.

The Bill ultimately was vetoed. Unfortunately, it is expected the Bill will resurface in 1999. This Bill has been known to simply be a political payback for big business. POLITICS SHOULD NOT HAVE AN IMPACT ON CONSIDERING LAWS THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF FLORIDA'S FAMILIES.

Buddy McKay, the Lieutenant Governor is running for Governor this year and stands committed to protecting Florida's families and preventing politics from impacting on laws that affect the safety and well being of Florida's families. You should ask each one of your legislators if they are committed to prohibiting politics from having an impact when considering laws that affect the safety and well being of Florida's families.

Panter & Panter urges you to contact your legislators and ask them to vote against any laws that cap or prohibit you from seeking damages due to the negligence of others.

Below you will find a list of your representatives and senators along with their phone numbers.

If you have any further questions, contact Panter & Panter.

Senators Phone
  • Gutman, Alberto
    Turner, William
    Diaz-Balart, Mario
    Silver, Ron
    Casas, Roberto
    Jones, Daryl
  • (305) 442-6990
    (305) 895-8870
    (305) 227-7690
    (305) 936-8858
    (305) 827-4040
    (305) 442-6901
Representatives Phone
  • Rojas, Luis
    Logan, Willie
    Meek, Kendrick
    Heyman, Sally
    Bloom, Elaine
    Barreiro, Bruno
    Roberts-Burke, Beryl
    Bush, James
    Garcia, Rodolfo
    Valdes, Carlos L.
    Villalobos, J. Alex
    Morse, Luis
    Rodriguez-Chomat, Jorge
    Diaz de la Portilla, Alex
    Betancourt, Annie
    Lacasa, Carlos
    Bullard, Larcenia
    Cosgrove, John
    Horan, Debbie
  • (305) 827-2720
    (305) 681-0008
    (305) 655-3671
    (305) 919-1888
    (305) 864-8648
    (305) 643-7324
    (305) 325-3086
    (305) 325-2867
    (305) 888-0866
    (305) 267-0134
    (305) 222-4160
    (305) 643-7590
    (305) 377-7123
    (305) 229-6240
    (305) 279-7337
    (305) 569-2600
    (305) 253-3421
    (305) 373-5315
    (305) 294-7191


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