HB 1053 Summary

• Authorizes the City of Tampa to appropriate and pay $17,828,800 to Ramiro Companioni as compensation for injuries sustained in a November 22, 1996 motorcycle accident caused by negligence of city employee Faustino Pierola

• On March 26, 2004, a Hillsborough County jury found the City of Tampa 90 percent at fault and awarded Companioni $17,928,800 in damages, with final judgment entered April 5, 2004, plus 7 percent annual interest

• The City of Tampa has paid only $100,000 (the sovereign immunity limit), leaving a remaining balance of $17,828,800 that this bill addresses

• The award is designated as the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident and limits attorney fees, lobbying fees, and costs to 25 percent of the awarded amount

• Effective upon becoming law