FL H1363

Palm Beach County is authorized to appropriate and pay $100,000 to Javier Soria as compensation for injuries sustained in a April 17, 2007 motorcycle accident caused by negligence of county employee Juan Sepeda Casas.

The accident involved a Palm Beach County dump truck that failed to stop at a stop sign, colliding with Soria's motorcycle and dragging him approximately 12 feet, resulting in severe head trauma, fractures, lacerations, and multiple orthopedic and neurological injuries.

Soria has incurred approximately $200,254 in medical expenses with future medical costs estimated at $640,000, and past and future lost earnings totaling approximately $478,000, for total economic damages exceeding $1.3 million.

A settlement of $300,000 was previously reached between Soria and Palm Beach County, with the county pledging support for this $100,000 claim bill as additional compensation.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, and costs relating to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the total amount awarded, and the payment is intended as sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the accident.