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FL S0028

CL

Status

Failed

5/5/2023

Primary Sponsor

Darryl Rouson

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2023 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Directs the City of Lakeland to pay Reginald Jackson $312,500 for injuries sustained when Lakeland Police Officer Mike Cochran shot him through his windshield with a .45 caliber bullet on October 18, 2001, striking him in the neck and causing permanent disability
  • Officer Cochran initiated the encounter by stopping Jackson based on an incorrectly entered license tag number, then arrested him for allegedly disobeying an officer after Jackson drove to a nearby pay phone when the first one was non-operational
  • Jackson was unarmed and seated next to an 18-month-old child at the time of the shooting; the officer fired after Jackson pumped his brakes twice in response to a command to stop
  • A Polk County jury awarded Jackson $412,500 in total damages, but he collected only $100,000 due to the sovereign immunity cap under Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, requiring a legislative claim bill to recover the remaining $312,500
  • Attorney fees related to the claim are capped at 25% of the amount awarded under the act, and the combined payments represent the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the incident

Legislative Description

Relief of Reginald Jackson by the City of Lakeland

Last Action

Died in Special Master on Claim Bills

5/5/2023

Full Bill Text

No bill text available