Bill to Aid Florida Crash Victim to Get Earlier Start

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos says a bill compensating a car crash victim will get an earlier start in the 2012 legislative session.

Haridopolos appeared Tuesday at a news conference with Eric Brody and his parents to support the nearly $15.6 million bill (SB 4).

Brody suffered severe brain damage in the crash with a Broward County sheriff’s deputy’s car 13 years ago.

A jury returned a $30.6 million verdict against the sheriff’s office. State and local government agencies, though, cannot pay more than $200,000 without legislative approval.

Similar legislation passed the Senate but died without a House vote on the last day of this year’s session. Haridopolos says he doesn’t want that to happen again.

The sheriff’s insurance company opposes the bill, arguing the amount is excessive.