Florida Governor DeSantis signs claims bill in 2025 granting $11M to man injured in 2015 crash with utility truck after Jury awards $120M

Florida Governor Signs Claims Bill Granting $11 Million to Man Paralyzed in Crash With City Utility Truck

Updated 2025 | Florida Claims Bill & Sovereign Immunity

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a claims bill authorizing an $11 million payment to Jacob T. Rodgers, an Alachua County man who was left permanently paralyzed following a 2015 collision with a city-owned utility vehicle. The bill concludes nearly a decade of litigation and legislative action after a jury awarded Rodgers $120 million in damages—most of which was initially barred by Florida’s sovereign immunity laws.

What Happened in the 2015 Gainesville Crash?

The crash occurred in 2015 when William Stormant, an employee of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), ran a stop sign while driving a city vehicle and struck a pickup truck in which Rodgers was a passenger. The impact caused catastrophic spinal injuries, leaving Rodgers paralyzed from the chest down.

Rodgers, who was only 20 years old at the time of the crash, faced lifelong medical care, lost earning capacity, and profound physical and emotional challenges. Despite these obstacles, he continued his education at Santa Fe College and expressed a desire to remain productive and independent.

Jury Awards $120 Million — But Sovereign Immunity Limits Recovery

Rodgers filed a negligence lawsuit against the City of Gainesville, represented by attorneys from Morgan & Morgan. During a four-day trial in Alachua County Circuit Court, jurors heard extensive medical testimony detailing Rodgers’ injuries, long-term care needs, and future costs.

The city argued that Rodgers was not wearing a seat belt and that the driver of the pickup truck was speeding, claiming shared fault. The jury rejected those arguments and found Stormant 100 percent responsible for the crash.

In May 2021, jurors awarded Rodgers more than $16 million in past damages and over $103 million for future medical and economic losses, totaling $120 million.

However, under Florida Statute 768.28, damages against government entities are capped at $200,000 unless the Florida Legislature approves additional compensation through a claims bill. As a result, Rodgers could not collect the jury award without legislative intervention.

Legislative Claims Bill Approves $11 Million Settlement

To seek compensation beyond the sovereign immunity cap, Rodgers’ legal team pursued relief through the Florida Legislature. The claims bill was sponsored by Rep. Meg Weinberger (R–Palm Beach Gardens) and Sen. Mack Bernard (D–West Palm Beach) and was filed on February 12, 2025.

After review and approval by lawmakers, the bill authorized an $11 million settlement—far less than the jury’s verdict but significantly more than the statutory cap. Governor DeSantis’ signature finalized the measure, bringing the long-running case to a close.

A Decade-Long Fight for Accountability

Morgan & Morgan attorney Jeff Humphries described the outcome as the end of an exhausting and emotional process that spanned nearly ten years. He emphasized that Rodgers was repeatedly turned away before finding representation and never gave up despite being told his life was effectively over.

The compensation is intended to help cover Rodgers’ lifelong medical needs and provide him with greater stability and independence moving forward.

Why This Case Matters

This case highlights the real-world impact of sovereign immunity laws and the critical role claims bills play in providing relief to individuals seriously injured by government negligence. While jury verdicts can establish liability and damages, legislative approval is often the only path to meaningful compensation when a government entity is at fault.

For victims of crashes involving government vehicles, the Rodgers case underscores the importance of experienced legal representation and persistence through both the court system and the legislative process.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured due to the negligence of a government employee, you may still have options—even when sovereign immunity applies.

An experienced attorney can help determine any legal remedies are available.

SOURCE: Gainesville Sun