The Florida Senate

¹774.207  Scope of liability; damages.--

(1)  Punitive damages may not be awarded in any civil action alleging an asbestos or silica claim.

(2)  At the time a complaint is filed in a civil action alleging an asbestos or silica claim, the plaintiff must file a verified written report with the court which discloses the total amount of any collateral source payments received, including payments that the plaintiff will receive in the future, as a result of settlements or judgments based upon the same claim. For any asbestos or silica claim pending on the effective date of this act, the plaintiff shall file a verified written report within 60 days after the effective date of this act, or at least 30 days before trial. Further, the plaintiff must update the reports on a regular basis during the course of the proceeding until a final judgment is entered in the case. The court shall permit setoff, based on the collateral source payment information provided, in accordance with the laws of this state as of the effective date of this act.

History.--s. 7, ch. 2005-274.

¹Note.--Section 10, ch. 2005-274, provides that "[t]his act shall take effect July 1, 2005. Because the act expressly preserves the right of all injured persons to recover full compensatory damages for their loss, it does not impair vested rights. In addition, because it enhances the ability of the most seriously ill to receive a prompt recovery, it is remedial in nature. Therefore, the act shall apply to any civil action asserting an asbestos claim in which trial has not commenced as of [July 1, 2005]."