FL H3519

Miami-Dade County is directed to appropriate $470,000 each to Monica Cantillo Acosta and Luis Alberto Cantillo Acosta as compensation for the wrongful death of their mother, Nhora Acosta, caused by a Miami-Dade County bus driver's negligence on November 12, 2004.

A jury verdict on November 5, 2007 found the bus driver 100 percent negligent and determined damages of $3 million for each child; the parties subsequently settled for $1,140,000 total.

Miami-Dade County had already paid $200,000 under statutory liability limits; this bill appropriates an additional $940,000 ($470,000 per child).

Payments under this act and prior statutory payments constitute sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from Nhora Acosta's death.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses related to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the total amount awarded under the act.