--- title: "Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence" description: "Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence" url: "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence" date: "2026-06-16T01:08:36+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- [📅 Events](https://palmcoastlocal.com/events) [🏷️ Deals](https://palmcoastlocal.com/component/jbusinessdirectory/offers?Itemid=520) [🤖 Ask ALICE](https://palmcoastlocal.com/ta) [📞 386-538-0999](tel:3865380999) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JoinPalmCoastLocal) [+ List My Business](https://palmcoastlocal.com/add-a-business) [ ![Palm Coast Local](https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/logos/headerlogo.webp) ](https://palmcoastlocal.com) ![ALICE](https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/ALICE/ask-alice-palmcoastlocal.png) Live Now Meet ALICE Your Palm Coast AI Guide Ask her anything — free! [Ask ALICE →](https://palmcoastlocal.com/ta) 🔍 **Sammy Quick Search** — find local businesses, events & 🎤 Listening… Breaking ◆ Loading today's Palm Coast news… ◆ Loading today's Palm Coast news… [🏠 Home](https://palmcoastlocal.com) [📅 Events](https://palmcoastlocal.com/events) [📰 Articles](https://palmcoastlocal.com/index.php?option=com_jpagebuilder&view=page&id=23) [🏷️ Deals](https://palmcoastlocal.com/component/jbusinessdirectory/offers?Itemid=520) [🤖 Ask ALICE](https://palmcoastlocal.com/ta) [🏖️ Beaches](https://palmcoastlocal.com/flagler-county-beaches-map) [📞 List Business](tel:3865380999) # Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence Details Written by: Palm Coast Local Parent Category: [ALICE](https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles) Category: [State Government](https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government) Published: 24 March 2025 ![Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence](https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/2025/compensation-limits-increase-florida-legislature.png) Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence After failing last year to raise the limits on how much victims of government negligence can receive, a Florida lawmaker is back with a more ambitious plan—seeking a tenfold increase. After failing last year to raise the limits on how much victims of government negligence can receive, a Florida lawmaker is back with a more ambitious plan—seeking a tenfold increase. On Thursday March 20, 2025 , the House Budget Committee voted 25-3 to approve [**HB 301**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/301), sponsored by [Rep. Fiona McFarland](https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4780), a Sarasota business owner and Navy veteran. ### What the Bill Would Change Currently, Florida law **caps** the amount a person can receive from a government-related injury at **$200,000 per person** and **$300,000 per incident**—even in cases of serious harm. If the bill passes, those limits would rise to: - **$1 million per person** and **$3 million per incident** - And increase again in 2030 to **$1.1 million per person** and **$3.2 million per incident** Right now, any compensation above these limits requires a **claims bill**, which must be approved by lawmakers—a process that can take years. McFarland’s bill would also allow **local governments to settle cases beyond the cap** without waiting for legislative approval. ### The Debate: Justice vs. Financial Burden Supporters argue that the current system is unfair, especially to people with life-altering injuries. [Gainesville attorney Julie Fine](https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/profile/?num=91070) shared an example where the University of Florida refused to take responsibility after a **truck driver struck and severely injured her client in a crosswalk**—even though video evidence proved the driver was at fault. “They denied responsibility because they knew they were protected by the cap,” Fine said. A jury later awarded her client **$1.5 million**, but delayed medical care and financial struggles made recovery even harder. On the other hand, local governments, schools, and small cities worry they **can’t afford** the proposed increases. - [**Bob Harris**,](https://www.lawfla.com/attorney/bob-l-harris/) general counsel for a group of rural schools, warned that the bill could **drain local budgets** and encourage more lawsuits. - [**David Cruz**, a lobbyist](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/lobbyist/index.cfm?Lobbyists=View_Lobbyist_Info&Tab=lobbyist&Submenu=2&First_Name=David&Last_Name=Cruz&Suffix1=&Lobbyist_ID=005986&LobbyistYear=2014) for the Florida League of Cities, pointed out that **one $3 million lawsuit** could devastate a small city with an annual budget of only $5 million. ### What Happens Next? HB 301 has passed two House committees and awaits a final hearing before reaching the full House for a vote. Meanwhile, a similar bill in the Senate ([**SB 1570**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1570)) has yet to be heard. Effective Date: 10/1/2025 Last Action: 3/20/2025 House - Now in Judiciary Committee \- [ Share](#) \- [ X](#) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Email](mailto:?subject=Palm%20Coast%20Local%20Just%20In,%20Read%20it%20here.Florida%20Lawmakers%20Consider%20Major%20Increase%20in%20Compensation%20Limits%20for%20Victims%20of%20Government%20Negligence&body=https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Share](#) \- [ Copy Link](#) Last Updated: 24 March 2025 #### Add comment I confirm my comment does not contain hate speech, harassment, false or defamatory statements about any person, business or political figure. I understand my comment are moderated and may be removed if they violate platform guideline. [](#addcomments) Namerequired E-mailrequired, but not visible ![Guest](https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/palm-coast-local-business.png) Your rating: Notify me of follow-up comments Accept privacy policy ![Security code](https://palmcoastlocal.com/component/jcomment/captcha/45166) Refresh Enter code Submit Cancel ### About Palm Coast Local Palm Coast Local is owned and operated by Mass Websites Inc., a Florida business. We provide business directory listings, SEO services, website design, and social media management. [Find us on Sunbiz.org](https://sunbiz.org) ### Quick Links - [Privacy Policy](https://palmcoastlocal.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms and Conditions](https://palmcoastlocal.com/terms-and-conditions) ### Contact [ Send Email ](mailto:386palmcoastlocal@gmail.com) We welcome your questions or comments regarding our Privacy Policy or services. ### Your Privacy We collect cookies, IP addresses, and usage data to improve your experience. You may delete cookies anytime through your browser settings. Users under 16 are not permitted to register or submit information. --- © Palm Coast Local — All Rights Reserved. TM 2026 ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "ALICE articles", "item": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "State Government", "item": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence", "item": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence" }, "headline": "Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence", "description": "After failing last year to raise the limits on how much victims of government negligence can receive, a Florida lawmaker is back with a more ambitious plan—seeking a tenfold increase.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/2025/compensation-limits-increase-florida-legislature.png" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Palm Coast Local", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/images/palm-coast-local-business.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Palm Coast Local", "url": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/alice-articles/64-flagler-county-florida-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence" }, "datePublished": "2025-03-24T14:03:33-04:00", "dateCreated": "2025-03-24T13:45:40-04:00", "dateModified": "2025-03-24T14:05:51-04:00" } ```