FL H0617

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

Compensates for a June 21, 1999 incident where an unsecured 12-foot extension ladder fell from a DOT truck on Interstate 75, causing a chain-reaction accident that killed Dr. Aversa.

Combined with the $100,000 already paid by DOT under statutory liability limits (section 768.28, Florida Statutes), the total compensation to the estate is $797,500, matching the agreed consent judgment.

Limits attorney's fees, lobbying fees, and related expenses to a maximum of 25 percent of the $697,500 award.

Designates the combined payments as sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from Dr. Aversa's death.