Businesses such as theme parks and go-cart tracks that offer potentially dangerous fun will regain liability protection for injuries to children that they lost due to a court ruling.
Gov. Charlie Crist today signed into law a bill (SB 2440) that allows parents to sign the waivers. The Florida Supreme Court two years ago invalidated the waivers because the state didn't have a law allowing them.
It does now. The new law went into effect immediately with Crist's signature.
Waivers, though, are be permitted only for what are known as "inherent risks" that are characteristic, or an integral part of, an activity such as falling off a jet ski or crashing a go-cart.
The bill was a compromise between business interests and trial lawyers who represent accident victims.
Crist also signed a bill (SB 206) that raises the limits on liability verdicts and settlements against the state or local governments from $100,000 to $200,000 per person and from $200,000 to $300,000 per incident. Legislative approval is required for higher amounts.
Another new law Crist signed (SB 350) will set safety standards for tomatoes and authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to inspect farms, greenhouses and packing facilities.
It was filed in response to a false salmonella scare two years ago. A federal investigation failed to turn up any tainted tomatoes.
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