Eric Brody Relief Bill Headed to Gov. Rick Scott

A priority for several years for Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, is headed to Gov. Rick Scotts desk.

The Florida Senate approved SB 4, the Relief of Eric Brody Bill, which will provide $10.75 million to Brody.

After more than 13 years, the justice that Eric Brody deserves is finally here, Haridopolos stated in a release. And while no amount of compensation will fully restore what Eric Brody lost, I am proud of the Senate for righting an injustice.

The bill requires an insurance company and the Broward County sheriffs office to pay for Brodys long-term care. Brody was paralyzed and has severe brain damage after being hit by a sheriffs cruiser in 1998.

The bill has died the past two years in the House.

I want to thank my fellow members in the Florida Senate, as well as our colleagues in the House, for approving this good bill today, Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, who sponsored the bill for Haridopolos, stated in the same release.

I am hopeful that Eric and his family will now have the resources to provide Eric with the care that he so deserves, and I sincerely hope that todays vote will bring much-needed and long-overdue closure to their lives.