--- 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/state-government/275-florida-lawmakers-consider-major-increase-in-compensation-limits-for-victims-of-government-negligence" date: "2026-06-13T22:31:40+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # 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/state-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 {ampz:share-now} Last Updated: 24 March 2025 ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "State Government", "item": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/state-government" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Florida Lawmakers Consider Major Increase in Compensation Limits for Victims of Government Negligence", "item": "https://palmcoastlocal.com/state-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/state-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/state-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" } ```