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NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsOctober 29, 2026Hillsborough County

Florida mother fights wrongful death restrictions after daughter's fatal hospital discharge

Photo: ABC Action News (WFTS) — News

Two years after her 49-year-old daughter Dawn died following gallbladder surgery, Beth Miller is campaigning against a Florida medical malpractice law that restricts parents of unmarried adult children from recovering certain damages. Medical records show Dawn was discharged despite dropping hemoglobin, confirmed sepsis, and decreased kidney function, collapsing at home minutes after arrival. While critics argue the restriction reduces hospital accountability, the statute was originally enacted in 1990 to address soaring malpractice insurance costs and physician shortages.

HealthcareLegal SystemInsuranceState Government
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — News

Why It Matters

The statute restricts surviving parents and adult children from recovering certain damages in lawsuits if the deceased adult child was 25 or older and unmarried without children.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

locationFlorida“State where the law and hospital incident occurred.”locationWest Palm Beach“Location of attorney Jordan Dulce's practice.”PersonBeth Miller“Mother of Dawn Miller, seeking answers and legal changes.”PersonDr. Gerald Feigin“Reviewed medical records and stated Dawn should not have been discharged.”PersonDawn Miller“Died at age 49 after gallbladder surgery and hospital discharge.”OrganizationFlorida Office of Insurance Regulation“Released a 2026 report on the medical malpractice insurance industry.”OrganizationU.S. Government Accountability Office“Examined claims of physician shortages in Florida and other states in 2003.”PersonKate Hussey“WPTV reporter investigating the issue.”PersonJordan Dulce“West Palm Beach trial attorney and critic of the wrongful death law.”OrganizationWPTV“Conducted investigations into Dawn Miller's death and the wrongful death law.”