PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Representative Robert Alexander “Alex” Andrade (R-2) has filed HB 6507, a claims bill designed to provide financial relief to Marcus Button and his family following a devastating 2006 school bus crash caused by the negligence of a Pasco County School Board employee.
The proposed legislation seeks to authorize a settlement of $1.2 million to address the long-term care needs and damages suffered by Button.
On September 22, 2006, then-16-year-old Marcus Button was a passenger in a car that collided with a Pasco County school bus at the intersection of State Road 54 and Meadow Pointe Boulevard. The crash left Button with catastrophic injuries, including severe brain damage, vision loss, facial disfigurement, and permanent neurological impairments.
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In 2007, Button’s parents filed a lawsuit against the Pasco County School Board. The court found the board liable and issued a judgment for $1,670,364.24 in damages. However, Florida’s statutory cap on government liability allowed the district to pay only $163,000. The Button family has since pursued legislative action to secure additional compensation.
Rep. Andrade’s bill outlines the following measures:
- Compensation for Marcus Button: The Pasco County School Board would allocate $1 million to a trust fund solely for Button’s benefit, ensuring financial support for his medical care, rehabilitation, and daily living expenses.
- Compensation for Robin Button: Button’s mother, Robin, would receive $200,000 to address the financial and emotional toll of caring for her son and the impact of his life-altering injuries.
- Waiver of Government Liens: The bill waives any government liens, including Medicaid claims, related to Button’s medical treatment and care.
- Attorney Fee Limitation: To maximize the funds available to the Button family, attorney fees are capped at 25% of the total settlement.
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Medical experts who testified at trial stated that Button requires 24-hour care and ongoing medical treatment, with estimated costs ranging from $6 million to $10 million over his lifetime. The settlement proposed by HB 6507 aims to provide long-overdue financial relief and address the substantial gap between the actual damages and the amount previously paid under the statutory cap.
The bill will now move through the Florida House and Senate for consideration. If passed, it will authorize the final settlement, marking the end of a nearly two-decade legal battle and providing much-needed relief to the Button family.
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