Florida Medical Malpractice Bill Faces Uncertain Future After DeSantis Veto

The bill would have allowed some parents now legally excluded, such as parents of deceased children over 25, to sue for malpractice.

Marcia Scheppler (L) and Joseph "JoJo" Thompson, who died at age 29 in 2019. Courtesy of Marcia Scheppler

A bill that lifts a longstanding restriction in Florida law banning parents of single, childless, and adult children from suing medical providers in instances of alleged malpractice faces an uncertain future after a recent veto.

Florida’s HB 6017, “Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death,” would have amended the state Statute 768.21(8), which deals with damages allowed in cases of wrongful death from alleged medical malpractice.