The Florida legislature has passed a claims bill to award former Wharton High football player Sean McNamee $1.7 million almost four years after he hit his head on a piece of equipment.
McNamee was 16 when his head struck a paint machine before practice in October 2013. School officials did not call for an ambulance at the time. The blow fractured his skull, and doctors put him in a medically induced coma.
FOOTBALL ACCIDENT: Wharton LB remains in coma, family questions circumstances.
The Hillsborough County School Board approved a $2 million settlement in 2015 and paid $300,000 — the most allowed under sovereign immunity. The McNamee family and attorney Steve Yerrid had to petition the Legislature for the rest.
Gov. Rick Scott must still sign the bill for approval.
Matt Baker, Times staff writer