LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — The Marcus Button claims bill was unanimously passed in the Florida House Civil Justice Subcommittee last week and has two more hurdles before the Senate would consider the bill.
Button was the passenger in a car struck by a Pasco County school bus in 2006.
He suffered significant brain injuries that impair his vision, short-term memory and impulse controls.
Today, Button requires 24-hour care and takes more than a dozen medications daily.
Despite the challenges he will face for the rest of his life, Marcus Button said he is optimistic he will one day be able to live independently.
“Always look at the bright side of everything, and know that things could be worse,” Button said.
A jury found Pasco Schools liable for the bus crash and was ordered to pay the family approximately $1.6 million in damages.
The family says the school district has only sent a settlement of $163,000 for Marcus’ care — the most the district is required to pay because of a legislative immunity cap.
For years the Buttons have remained hopeful legislators will act, passing the claims bill that would force Pasco Schools to pay out the remaining jury award.
In Tallahassee last week, Marcus’ mother, Robin Button, issued a tearful plea to legislators before the claims bill unanimously was approved.
“I’m worried about him,” she said. “His father passed away a few years ago and I am the only one left, taking care of him. And I know Marcus is going to outlive me. This bill means everything.”
The Marcus Button claims bill has one more committee to pass in the Florida House before it would get a full floor vote.
Family attorney Steele Olmstead is optimistic the House will pass the claims bill, but says it is rare for the Senate to hear claims bills unless there is a prior agreement between the parties.
“Once these members of this school board are confronted with what Marcus has, I believe there’s an agreement that could come to fruition and take it to the Senate and get it passed,” Olmstead said. “Finally, after 17 years.”
The Button family was planning to address the Pasco School Board at Tuesday’s meeting, however, those plans were canceled and instead they issued a statement saying negotiations with the school board will continue.
The Marcus Button claims bill likely will be heard in the House Judiciary Subcommittee next week.
Jason Lanning
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