Florida Senate Approves Amended Brody Claim Bill

The Florida Senate approved$10.75 million for Eric Brody, who suffered brain injuries in 1998 when his car was hit by a Broward sheriffs deputy.

The bill must still go before the state House.

Similar efforts have failed to win approval from both chambers in prior sessions.

A priority of Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, the bill was initially filed in September for $15.575 million.

The settlement amount remains far short of the $31 million a jury awarded against the Broward County sheriffs office in 2005.

The following is a release from the Senate: "The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 4, Relief of Eric Brody by the Broward County Sheriff's Office. SB 4 was passed after an agreement was reached by all parties, and the bill was amended to provide $10.75 million in relief to Eric Brody."

I want to thank my fellow senators for their support of Eric and his family today, said Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, sponsor of SB 4. This agreement between the parties provides just compensation to a young man whose life was forever altered the day a Broward County sheriffs deputys car struck him.

I wish Eric and his family all the best and send sincere wishes that this closure brings much-needed peace in their lives, added Benacquisto.

I am pleased that on the first day of session we were able to pass this important bill to restore justice to one of our fellow Floridians, said Haridopolos. I firmly believe that it is never too late to do the right thing, and today we voted to do the right thing.