Opinion ID: 1831617
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Controlling Statute

Text: Section 768.21, Florida Statutes (2002), describes the damages recoverable in a wrongful death action, including the following: (1) Each survivor may recover the value of lost support and services from the date of the decedent's injury to her or his death, with interest, and future loss of support and services from the date of death and reduced to present value.... In computing the duration of future losses, the joint life expectancies of the survivor and the decedent and the period of minority, in the case of healthy minor children, may be considered. (2) The surviving spouse may also recover for loss of the decedent's companionship and protection and for mental pain and suffering from the date of injury. (3) Minor children of the decedent, and all children of the decedent if there is no surviving spouse, may also recover for lost parental companionship, instruction, and guidance and for mental pain and suffering from the date of injury.... (4) Each parent of a deceased minor child may also recover for mental pain and suffering from the date of injury. § 768.21, Fla. Stat. (2002). The dispute in this case centers on the measure of damages recoverable by a minor child under section 768.21(3). Section 768.21(3) provides no express guidance regarding the length of time for which a minor child may recover damages. Bell-South argues that the statute should be interpreted to limit a minor child's recovery to the child's period of minority. Bell-South points out that, where a decedent leaves a surviving spouse, only minor children can recover under subsection (3). Therefore, if there is a surviving spouse, BellSouth argues that a child's recovery must be cut off when the child is no longer a minor. We agree with the district court that this is not a proper interpretation of the measure of damages to be awarded a minor child under section 768.21(3). Contrary to BellSouth's interpretation, Meeks argues that section 768.21(3) does not limit a minor child's damages to the period of minority. Instead, Meeks points out that the statute gives a starting date from the date of injury for measuring damages, but provides no ending date for the calculation. Meeks argues that the statute should be interpreted to vest recovery rights in a child who is a minor on the date of injury, and to allow recovery through the child's life. The district court found Meeks' argument persuasive, and we agree.