TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected a bill that would allow more families to file a lawsuit for malpractice deaths. Families, who have been blocked by current law, continue to share their stories in hopes of opportunities for justice, and that it pushes to revive the “free killing” bill is gaining momentum within the state capitol.
Under current law, if a patient dies from medical malpractice, the surviving family can only sue if the patient is married or if the patient has a minor child under the age of 25.
“The goal of the bill was to hold doctors accountable when doctors commit medical malpractice, and ultimately lead to patient death,” said House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami). “There should be no difference in the way you hold people liable for negligence between someone like me, someone who is married to children, someone who is not married and has no children.”
This year, the bill is trying to provide more equity to families who were handed out from both rooms and sent to the governor’s desk at their Florida home.
But Desantis refused.
“It leads to higher costs for Floridians, less access to Floridian care, making it difficult to maintain, recruit and maintain physicians in Florida,” DeSantis said.
“Of course, the governor has the authority to reject this bill. He has chosen to do so. I do not agree to the veto. We will take that bill home next year for ongoing conversation,” Speaker Perez said.
For now, the legislative battle will be suspended until lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year, when the 2026 session begins.
