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Paralyzed teen's claims bill ran into stone wall in Senate

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 7, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - A Fort Lauderdale teen who was paralyzed as an infant during botched surgery at a public hospital came close to receiving compensation from lawmakers - until the Florida Senate halted her chances.

Minouche Noel, 18, was paralyzed when she was 6 months old. A jury awarded her and her family $8.5-million, but under Florida law, she cannot collect more than $200,000 unless the Florida Legislature consents.

Minouche's family has little money to care for her extensive daily needs. Her parents are Haitian immigrants who live in a working-class section of Fort Lauderdale.

Minouche's story tugged at the heartstrings of some lawmakers: Rep. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, recalled Minouche's visit last year to the claims committee. He described himself as a tough old sheriff brought to tears by her story. "Reach down in your heart and do what's right," Dean said. "Let's save this child. Let's give to her what we have wronged in her life."

Last month, a House claims committee voted to pay Noel the amount a jury awarded her, but House lawmakers reduced the amount to $6-million on Friday.

Rep. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, said it was to make it more palatable to the Senate leadership."We've got billions in surplus this year," Smith said.

But Senate President Tom Lee, R-Valrico, refused to bring Minouche's claims bill before the full chamber during the last day of the session.

Lee has maintained that the claims bill system is "elitist and overly political." He has also objected to lawyers' and lobbyists' receiving a cut of the claims awards.

[Last modified May 7, 2006, 01:10:18]