FL S0042

Miami-Dade County is authorized to appropriate and pay $1.15 million to James D. Feurtado, III, as compensation for injuries sustained in a February 12, 2009 bus accident caused by county employee negligence.

The bus operator failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Pisano Avenue and University Drive in Coral Gables before turning right and striking Feurtado, a pedestrian, causing severe neurological and orthopedic injuries.

Feurtado sustained permanent brain damage, unilateral deafness, multiple fractures, and post-traumatic complications requiring multiple surgeries including craniotomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, with calculated total economic damages of $1,823,468.

The $1.15 million payment under this act, combined with $100,000 already paid under Florida statutory liability limits, constitutes the sole compensation for all present and future claims related to the incident.

Attorney's fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses related to this claim are capped at 25 percent of the total award amount.