The city of Jacksonville could have to pay $3.3 million dollars to the family of a boy who was paralyzed by a falling tree limb four years ago. As the News Service of Florida reports, a state Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that would require the city to compensate the family of Aubrey Stewart. The bill’s sponsor, Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), said the city had received multiple complaints about the conditions of trees but did not take action before Stewart was injured.
The city agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with Stewart's family, but the state's sovereign-immunity laws place a $200,000 limit on what can be paid. That led to Bradley filing what is known as a "claim" bill that would direct the city to pay the remaining $3.3 million.
"These are people of very modest means,'' Bradley said of the family. "This will not make them rich."
Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) cast the only dissenting vote. The bill heads now to the full Senate.
Correction: This story originally referred to Aubrey Stewart as a "girl." He is a boy.
