Elenin
December 21st, 2011, 09:03 PM
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30031350/detail.html
DENVER -- A teenager living in Colorado is asking lawmakers in Florida to pay the $30.8 million he is owed.
In 1997, Aaron Edwards' brain was injured during birth at the Lee Memorial Health System in Florida, according to his mother, Mitzi Roden.
A jury found that Lee Memorial caused Edwards’ crippling brain injury because it was negligent and failed to follow standard hospital rules and regulations, Edwards' attorneys said. A jury awarded Edwards damages of $30.8 million on Feb. 20, 2007.
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However, the family has not been able to collect.
Because the medical institution is a governmental entity, the Florida legislature must review claims bills.
"It has become common practice with this Florida legislature to just sit on these claims bills so that they are rarely concluded," said the attorneys.
"My Christmas wish this year is for the state of Florida to give me a fair hearing so that we can have the money for my injuries that the court said we should have," Edwards, now 14, wrote in a letter to Florida state representatives.
"I learned my claims bill had passed the Senate committee for its full amount, but the House would not allow my bill to be heard," the letter continues. "The courts gave me a fair hearing. The Senate gave me a fair hearing. Why can't the House of Representatives give me a fair hearing?"
The letter took three weeks to write on a rudimentary communications board, according to Roden.
Because Edwards requires 24-hour care and because of the financial burden on his family, Edwards and his mom moved to Colorado.
Roden is working in a dog grooming shop in Canon City. She brings her son to work each day and homeschools him during her breaks.
The family is asking supporters to inundate Speaker of the House Dean Cannon's office with emails and calls asking him to bring Edwards' claims bill to a hearing and a vote. Cannon's office number is 407-623-5740. He can be emailed at [email protected]
DENVER -- A teenager living in Colorado is asking lawmakers in Florida to pay the $30.8 million he is owed.
In 1997, Aaron Edwards' brain was injured during birth at the Lee Memorial Health System in Florida, according to his mother, Mitzi Roden.
A jury found that Lee Memorial caused Edwards’ crippling brain injury because it was negligent and failed to follow standard hospital rules and regulations, Edwards' attorneys said. A jury awarded Edwards damages of $30.8 million on Feb. 20, 2007.
Click here to find out more!
However, the family has not been able to collect.
Because the medical institution is a governmental entity, the Florida legislature must review claims bills.
"It has become common practice with this Florida legislature to just sit on these claims bills so that they are rarely concluded," said the attorneys.
"My Christmas wish this year is for the state of Florida to give me a fair hearing so that we can have the money for my injuries that the court said we should have," Edwards, now 14, wrote in a letter to Florida state representatives.
"I learned my claims bill had passed the Senate committee for its full amount, but the House would not allow my bill to be heard," the letter continues. "The courts gave me a fair hearing. The Senate gave me a fair hearing. Why can't the House of Representatives give me a fair hearing?"
The letter took three weeks to write on a rudimentary communications board, according to Roden.
Because Edwards requires 24-hour care and because of the financial burden on his family, Edwards and his mom moved to Colorado.
Roden is working in a dog grooming shop in Canon City. She brings her son to work each day and homeschools him during her breaks.
The family is asking supporters to inundate Speaker of the House Dean Cannon's office with emails and calls asking him to bring Edwards' claims bill to a hearing and a vote. Cannon's office number is 407-623-5740. He can be emailed at [email protected]