Opinion ID: 1831617
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Parallel Provisions

Text: To ascertain the meaning of a specific statutory section, the section should be read in the context of its surrounding sections. See Rollins v. Pizzarelli, 761 So.2d 294, 298 (Fla.2000) (stating that statutes must be read together to ascertain their meaning); Forsythe v. Longboat Key Beach Erosion Control Dist., 604 So.2d 452, 455 (Fla.1992) (stating that, [w]here possible, courts must give full effect to all statutory provisions and construe related statutory provisions in harmony with one another). Section 768.21 contains four parallel provisions awarding wrongful death damages to survivors. To determine the appropriate measure of damages under section 768.21(3), we look to the three surrounding subsections. We conclude that harmony among all of these provisions is achieved by permitting a minor child to recover damages under subsection (3) based on the joint life expectancies of the child and deceased parent.