The manufacturer is blameless because the device was made and installed more than 12 years ago. There really is a little ballerina who lost most of her big toe. Her name is Marissa Davis, she was 6 when it happened, and her parents, Wayne and Kathy Davis of St. Petersburg, have been trying to help the trial lawyers fight the bill even though it wouldn't affect their lawsuit. It was one of the best reasons he had. But Jeb Bush was elected to succeed him, and the business lobbies helped elect an even-friendlier Legislature.
New bills are on fast tracks in both houses.
In some ways, they are better than last year, in some ways they are worse, and in too many they are the same. They watched in dismay last week as a Senate committee wrote it in. No legislator shills more shamelessly for special interests. Latvala told the Davises that escalators are considered part of the real estate and already subject to a 15-year statute of repose. This is what the business lobbies and some Senate lawyers say, too.