Reviewed by Michael P. Maddux, Esq. | Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer | Florida Super Lawyer for 16 Consecutive Years

If passed, Florida House Bill 145 would significantly increase the amount of compensation individuals may recover when they successfully sue the state or a local government for harm, including claims involving law enforcement agencies. These cases fall under Florida’s sovereign immunity laws, which currently place strict limits on how much the government can be required to pay, even when a jury awards substantially more.

Under current law, damages are capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, regardless of the severity of the injuries or losses involved. House Bill 145 would raise those caps in phases. For claims arising between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2031, the maximum recovery would increase to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident. For claims occurring on or after October 1, 2031, the limits would rise again to $600,000 per person and $1.2 million per incident.

If enacted, this legislation would represent a meaningful shift for individuals seriously injured due to government negligence or misconduct. By allowing higher recoveries, the bill would help bring compensation closer to what courts and juries determine the harm is actually worth, rather than forcing injured parties to absorb losses beyond the statutory caps.