- Mar 31, 2025
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# Florida House Votes to Repeal Controversial "Free Kill" Law
**BNN Breaking Now**
In a landmark decision, the Florida House has passed a bill aiming to repeal the state's controversial **"Free Kill" law**, which has long prevented families from pursuing wrongful death claims in medical malpractice cases involving adult children or parents of adult victims.
## What is the "Free Kill" Law?
Florida’s **"Free Kill" law**, officially known as **Section 768.21(8)** of the Florida Statutes, has been a major point of contention for years. The law states:
- Only spouses or minor children can file **wrongful death lawsuits** in medical malpractice cases.
- Parents of adult children or adult children of deceased parents **cannot sue** for wrongful death.
- Doctors and medical facilities have effectively been **shielded from liability** in these cases.
## Why the Push for Repeal?
Advocates argue the law is **unjust and outdated**, creating a loophole that denies justice to grieving families.
- **Disproportionate Impact**: Families of adult victims have **no legal recourse**, even in clear malpractice cases.
- **Lack of Accountability**: Critics say the law has allowed negligent healthcare providers to **escape consequences**.
- **National Outlier**: Florida is one of the **few states** with such restrictive wrongful death laws.
## The Fight for Justice
The push for reform has been led by **families who lost loved ones** due to medical errors but were barred from seeking justice.
- **Michelle Davis**, whose 30-year-old son died due to alleged negligence, has been a vocal advocate.
- **Civil rights groups** argue the law discriminates against unmarried individuals and parents of adult children.
## What’s Next?
The bill now moves to the **Florida Senate**, where its fate remains uncertain. If passed, it would mark a **significant shift** in Florida’s medical malpractice laws.
### Key Changes if the Bill Becomes Law
✔ **Expands who can sue**: Parents of adult children and adult children of deceased parents **gain standing**.
✔ **Increases accountability**: Hospitals and doctors could face **more litigation**.
✔ **Restores legal rights**: Families would no longer be **blocked from justice**.
## What Do You Think?
- **Should Florida fully repeal the "Free Kill" law, or does it serve a purpose in preventing excessive lawsuits?**
- **Does protecting medical professionals outweigh the rights of grieving families?**
- **Could repealing the law lead to a surge in medical malpractice claims, driving up healthcare costs?**
- **Is this law outdated, or does Florida need further legal reforms?**
Share your thoughts below!
**BNN – Keeping You Informed**
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