Latest news with #FloridaWrongfulDeathAct
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Father Sues 71-Year-Old Driver Who Hit and Killed 10-Year-Old Elementary School Girl in a Crosswalk
The father of ShaoLan 'Lana' Kamaly, 10, is suing the 71-year-old driver who hit and killed her in Florida last year The Sugar Mill Elementary School fourth-grader died after she was struck by an SUV in a crosswalk near the campus In January 2025, the driver of the SUV, Pamela Schulz, received a traffic citation from Port Orange Police for 'failing to exercise due care toward a pedestrian in a crosswalk'The father of 10-year-old ShaoLan 'Lana' Kamaly is suing the 71-year-old driver who hit and killed her in Florida in May 2024. The Sugar Mill Elementary School fourth-grader died after she was struck by an SUV in a crosswalk near the campus, close to the end of the school year, Port Orange Police said. In January 2025, the driver of the SUV, Pamela Schulz, received a traffic citation from Port Orange Police for 'failing to exercise due care toward a pedestrian in a crosswalk,' the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported at the time. Police alleged that she 'had not been operating her vehicle in a wanton or reckless manner. Speed was determined not to be a factor in this crash.' Schulz eventually pleaded no contest and was fined, but was not otherwise charged, the outlet also reported. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. ShaoLan's father, Keivan Kamaly, filed the lawsuit against both Schulz and the owner of the vehicle involved in the crash, Douglas Ente, on Feb. 24, per the Daytona Beach News-Journal. He accused Schulz of negligently failing to stop at a stop sign and keep a proper lookout when she hit Kamaly. Schulz "negligently failed to stop at the stop sign, resulting in a fatal impact with [ShaoLan] while [ShaoLan] was in the crosswalk," the lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE, alleges. ShaoLan's father alleges that Schulz "negligently failed to keep a proper lookout," which resulted in striking ShaoLan. Kamaly is suing for medical and funeral expenses, plus other "damages permitted by the Florida Wrongful Death Act." 'In her magnificent short life, Lana brought immeasurable joy and light into the world with her contagious smile, sincere compliments and endless curiosity,' an obituary for Kamaly said. 'Lana spent most of her childhood reading, writing, composing, acting and at happy times swirling in her favorite dress.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Near-record heat, JFRD Chief calls it a career, Murray Hill residents want to stop the stink
Top stories on the Friday edition of Jacksonville's Morning News for May 16, 2025. Hottest temperatures of the year, so far with highs today in the mid to upper 90s inland and lower 90s along the coast. We could touch or surpass the daily high temperature record of 96 today in Jacksonville. Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says temperatures will reach near or just above record levels thru the weekend. Three Big Things to Know: Some Jacksonville residents hope a meeting can help them breathe easier. Neighbors in Murray Hill met yesterday at the Kent Campus at Florida State College of Jacksonville. They talked with City Councilman Jimmy Peluso about the bad smell that comes from the International Flavors and Fragrances plant on Lane Ave. One man says sometimes it's so bad his eyes burn. Another man says he doesn't go outside because of the smell. State officials are currently reviewing the company's permit renewal application. Calling it a career - Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Powers is retiring on June 30th. He'll continue to be a mentor and resource as the city begins the process of appointing a new chief. The next Fire Chief will be selected through an open selection process over the next six weeks with their appointment beginning on July 1st. A bill to repeal the so-called Free Kill law is unlikely to get past the governor. Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday he plans to veto the bill meant to overturn the Florida Wrongful Death Act. The act limits who can sue a doctor for medical malpractice, and it took effect in 1990. HB 6017 was drafted to repeal the law, and it passed the legislature this month. DeSantis, though, says the bill would cause insurance premiums to skyrocket if it became law. He also says he would support a cap on how much plaintiffs could collect in damages to disincentivize jackpot justice.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New bill to repeal Florida's ‘Free Kill' law makes it to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk
Florida's Senate voted May 1 to pass a bill that would repeal the state's so-called 'Free Kill' statute, which restricts who can sue for medical malpractice. Under the 'Free Kill' law, only spouses and children under 25 of someone who died from medical malpractice can sue for pain and suffering due to loss of life. HB 6017 deletes this provision. Also titled "Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death," the new bill was filed by House Representatives Dana Trabulsy (R) and Johanna López (D) and is supported by families affected by the 35-year-old law. Florida's House of Representatives already approved HB 6017 in March in a 104-6 vote. The bill will take effect July 1, 2025, unless vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The American Tort Reform Association wrote a letter to DeSantis May 8 urging him to veto the bill because it would "expose Florida's doctors and other healthcare providers to greater, unpredictable liability." Florida escaped ATR's 'Judicial Hellholes' list just two years ago. No more "Free Kill": Pensacola families fight to change Florida's 'Free Kill' law. Here's why. The 'Free Kill' law, found in Florida Statute 768.21, restricts who can sue for medical malpractice. "The Florida Wrongful Death Act dictates who can file a wrongful death claim when a loved one dies due to medical malpractice," Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein law office states. "Unlike other negligence cases, where most surviving family members can seek compensation, medical malpractice wrongful death cases impose strict limitations." Related: Florida begins first prosecutions under controversial 'Halo Law' Florida is the only U.S. state with a 'Free Kill' law. In 1990, Florida's Wrongful Death Act was expanded to include the 'Free Kill' statute, reportedly aiming to reduce medical malpractice insurance costs and keep doctors in the state. It made it so only economic damages for funeral costs and medical expenses could be recovered by the adult children (over 25) of the deceased, but not for pain and suffering. Parents of adult children who die due to medical malpractice cannot receive noneconomic damages under this law. HB 6017 deletes the provision in Florida Statute 768.21 that prevents people other than the spouse or children under 25 of someone who died due to medical negligence from recovering certain damages. Unless the bill is vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Contributing: Mollye Barrows, Pensacola News Journal, Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Will Gov. DeSantis sign, veto bill repealing Florida 'Free Kill' law?
