FL S0074

Marion County Sheriff's Office is authorized to appropriate $2,331,562.84 to compensate Marianne Beauregard and the Estate of Ronald Avallone for injuries and damages from a November 30, 2005 motor vehicle collision caused by negligent sheriff's office employee Darius P. Medina.

The collision resulted in Ronald Avallone suffering multiple fractures, surgeries including knee replacement, cognitive impairments, and ultimately death on December 7, 2010, with medical costs exceeding $450,517.63.

A Marion County jury awarded $2,735,000 in November 2009, which was reduced to a final judgment of $2,331,562.84 after appeal on April 28, 2011; the sheriff's office had already paid $200,000 under Florida law.

Attorney's fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses related to the claim may not exceed 25 percent of the awarded amount, and the combined payments are designated as sole compensation for all claims arising from the incident.