FL H0955

Authorizes the Pasco County School Board to appropriate $675,000 to compensate Marcus Button for injuries sustained in a September 22, 2006 school bus accident caused by school bus driver John E. Kinne's negligence.

Marcus Button, age 16 at the time, suffered severe injuries including facial and skull fractures, brain damage, vision loss, and permanent cognitive and physical disabilities requiring lifetime 24-hour care.

Jury verdict found the school board 65 percent responsible for the crash; combined with the school board's prior statutory payment of $200,000, the total compensation reaches $875,000.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and other similar expenses related to this claim are capped at 25 percent of the total amount awarded under the act.

The payment constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the accident and takes effect upon becoming law.