9-Year-Old Florida resident Marissa Amora will receive $18.2 million over the next 11 years for her serious personal injuries caused in part by Florida’s Department of Children and Families’s negligence.
A Florida jury had awarded Amora’s family over $26 million, but Florida lawmakers must approve court-ordered awards over $200,000. Earlier this month, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed the claims bill awarding Amora the 18.2 million. Marissa will receive $2.9 million this year, and her family will continue to receive additional payments over the following years until she receives the full amount.
The jury ruled that the DCF was 75% liable for Marissa’s catastrophic traumatic brain injuries and abdominal injuries. Marissa had been admitted for one month to Miami Children’s Hospital in 2000. Upon her release, the DCF decided to return Marissa to her biological mother even though several hospital social workers reported that they suspected that Marissa was an abuse victim.
Marissa, who was 2-years-old at the time, was readmitted to the hospital several weeks later with broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. Doctors believe that Marrissa was swung by her legs and smashed onto the floor or the wall.
Now, Marissa can only eat with a feeding tube, is unable to walk, and has the developmental skills of a 3-year-old. The compensation is intended to provide for her ongoing medical care for the rest of her life.
Please contact our South Florida personal injury law firm if you or someone you love was seriously injured because of another party’s negligence or carelessness. You may be entitled to financial recovery for medical costs, ongoing medical care, mental and emotional trauma, and other associated losses.
Abused Florida 9-year-old to receive millions for DCF mistake, News-Press.com, May 6, 2008
Crist signs bill giving Lake Worth abuse victim Marissa Amora $18.2 million, PalmBeachPost.com, May 6, 2008
Related Web Resource:
Florida Department of Children and Families
Contact Halberg & Fogg PLLC today.