Liability - General Information

According to Florida law there is a limit to the county’s exposure on liability claims, called Sovereign Immunity. This allows for limits of $100,000 per person and $200,000 per claim. Beyond this threshold a legislative claims bill would be required. The Claims Bill is a legal process whereby the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee must agree to add the claim settlement to a proposed bill; then, that bill must be passed by majority vote within the legislature. As administrator of the self insurance program, Risk Management investigates and evaluates claims presented by those persons who feel that the county has acted in a negligent manner; therefore, owing monetary compensation for their injury or property damage.

Liability is the term used to define exposure to a legal obligation or responsibility for bodily injury to citizens’ (individuals that are not employees) and/or damage to property not owned by the county. Liability can be established due to negligent acts or conditions and can be generated in many different ways. It is important to report potential claims of damage to Risk Management as soon as possible. From that point, an investigation will be conducted to determine exposure to liability and steps will be taken to control costs and protect the county.

 

 

400 South Ft. Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3664 / Fax (727) 464-4060

 

 

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