FL S0020

Appropriates $697,500 from the Department of Transportation unappropriated trust fund balances to compensate the Estate of Dr. Sherrill Lynn Aversa for her death caused by departmental negligence in 1999.

A Department of Transportation employee failed to secure a 12-foot extension ladder on a truck, which fell onto Interstate 75 and caused a chain-reaction accident that killed Dr. Aversa; the department admitted liability and agreed to a $797,500 consent judgment.

The Department of Transportation has already paid $100,000 under statutory liability limits, with this appropriation covering the remaining $697,500 settlement amount including attorney's fees and costs.

Limits attorney's fees, lobbying fees, and other similar expenses to no more than 25 percent of the $697,500 award, with this payment serving as sole compensation for all claims arising from the incident.

Directs the Chief Financial Officer to issue a warrant and draw funds from the Department of Transportation for payment to the estate.