Governor Ron DeSantis has signed legislation allowing Lourdes Latour and her husband, Edward, to receive the final portion of an $800,000 settlement with Miami-Dade County. The accident that prompted the settlement occurred on January 5, 2017, when a malfunctioning gate arm struck Latour as she exited the Gables by the Sea community on her bicycle, throwing her to the ground and causing permanent nerve damage. The county had accepted liability for the incident, but state law limited what the government entity could initially pay.
The couple filed suit against Miami-Dade in 2018, alleging the county was negligent in owning, operating and maintaining the gate. A jury determined in January 2025 that Miami-Dade bore 100 percent responsibility for the accident and awarded damages totaling more than $4.9 million. The damages covered long-term pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, loss of companionship and service. However, Florida's sovereign immunity law capped government liability at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident at the time of the settlement. This limitation forced both sides to settle for $800,000 instead of the jury award, with the county paying $300,000 directly and the remaining $500,000 contingent on legislative approval through a claims bill.
HB 6515, sponsored by Coral Gables Republican Representative Demi Busatta and carried in the Senate by Sarasota Republican Senator Joe Gruters, is a special type of legislation designed to compensate individuals for losses caused by the negligence or error of public agencies. The bill passed with overwhelming support, with all lawmakers voting in favor except Pensacola Republican Senator Don Gaetz. DeSantis signed it as part of a batch of 15 bills on Thursday, and it took effect immediately upon his signature. It was one of five claims bills the Legislature passed during the 2025 session.
Separately, state lawmakers approved raising the caps under Florida's sovereign immunity law to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident. That measure, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Representative Fiona McFarland, has been sent to DeSantis but has not yet received his signature. It remains unclear whether the governor will sign or veto that legislation, which would establish new limits for future government liability cases.